List of Polish-American Medal of Honor recipients

The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. A recipient must distinguish themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. The medal is presented to the recipient by the President of the United States on behalf of the Congress.

World War II

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  Lavender background along with  indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Note: Notes in quotations are derived or are copied from the official Medal of Honor citation
Image Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Stephen R. Gregg Army Technical Sergeant Montélimar, France August 27, 1944 "As his platoon advanced upon the enemy positions; the leading scout was fired upon and Second Lieutenant Gregg immediately put his machine guns into action to cover the advance of the riflemen. The Germans, who were at close range, threw hand grenades at the riflemen, killing some and wounding seven. Each time a medical aid man attempted to reach the wounded, the Germans fired at him. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Second Lieutenant Gregg took one of the light .30-caliber machine guns, and firing from the hip, started boldly up the hill with the medical aid man following him. Although the enemy was throwing hand grenades at him, Second Lieutenant Gregg remained and fired into the enemy positions while the medical aid man removed the seven wounded men to safety."
  Matt Urban Army Captain Renouf, France June 14, 1944 – September 3, 1944 An infantry company and battalion commander with many decorations and awards including seven Purple Hearts in World War II:
"Distinguished himself by a series of bold, heroic actions, exemplified by a singularly outstanding combat leadership, personal bravery, and tenacious devotion to duty... Captain Urban's personal leadership, limitless bravery, and repeated extraordinary exposure to enemy fire served as an inspiration to his entire battalion. His valourous and intrepid actions reflect the utmost credit on him and uphold the noble traditions of the United States Army."
  Frank P. Witek  Marine Corps Private First Class Guam, Mariana Islands August 3, 1944 "When his rifle platoon was halted by heavy surprise fire from well camouflaged enemy positions, Private First Class Witek daringly remained standing to fire a full magazine from his automatic point-blank range into a depression housing Japanese troops, killing eight of the enemy and enabling the greater part of his platoon to take cover. During his platoon's withdrawal for consolidation of lines, he remained to safeguard a severely wounded comrade, courageously returning the enemy's fire until the arrival of stretcher bearers and then covering the evacuation by sustained fire as he moved backward toward his own lines. With his platoon again pinned down by a hostile machine-gun, Private First Class Witek, on his own initiative, moved forward boldly ahead of the reinforcing tanks and infantry, alternately throwing hand grenades and firing as he advanced to within five to ten yards of the enemy position, destroying the hostile machine-gun emplacement and an additional eight Japanese before he, himself, was struck down by an enemy rifleman. His valiant and inspiring action effectively reduced the enemy's firepower, thereby enabling his platoon to attain its objective, and reflects the highest credit upon Private First Class Witek and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

Vietnam War

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The Vietnam War was a military conflict between the Communist-supported Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the United States-supported Republic of Vietnam. It started in 1959 and concluded April 30, 1975 with the defeat and failure of the United States foreign policy in Vietnam.[1]

During the Vietnam War, 246 Medals of Honor were received, 154 of them posthumously.[2]

Image Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes References
  John Levitow Air Force Airman First Class Long Binh Army post, Republic of Vietnam Feb 24, 1969 Although severely wounded himself from a mortar round, he moved another wounded crew member to safety. He then used his own body to smother and move a smoking flare from within the cargo compartment of the aircraft and threw it from the back of the plane as it separated and ignited in the air as it cleared the aircraft. [3][4]

Notes

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References

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Inline
  1. ^ "Vietnam War". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved March 5, 2008. Meanwhile, the United States, its military demoralized and its civilian electorate deeply divided, began a process of coming to terms with defeat in its longest and most controversial war
  2. ^ "Medal of Honor recipients". Medal of Honor statistics. United States Army Center of Military History. December 3, 2010. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  3. ^ Brody, 2004, pp. 270–1
  4. ^ "Vietnam (A-L)". Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center for Military History. December 3, 2010. Retrieved May 8, 2011.