The
President of the United States takes pride in presenting the
SILVER STAR MEDAL to:
CAPTAIN
HENRY KOLAKOWSKI, JR.
UNITED
STATES MARINE CORPS
For
service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Commanding
Officer of Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First
Marine Division in connection with operations against insurgent
communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam.
On
30 January 1968, Captain KOLAKOWSKI’s company landed by
helicopter in the Hoa Vang District of Quang Nam Province
and quickly established a blocking position to contain two
Viet Cong battalions on a river island while a nearby Army
of the Republic of Vietnam force prepared to assault the
enemy position.
When
the attacking units encountered heavy resistance and faltered,
Captain KOLAKOWSKI immediately effected the necessary coordination
and led his company to relieve the attacking forces. The
Viet Cong, well entrenched in a hamlet surrounded by wire
entanglements and making effective use of excellent fields
of fire afforded by open rice paddies, were successful in
holding back the attacking forces by use of extremely heavy
small arms fire, grenades and antitank rockets.
With
exceptional professional skill and courage, Captain KOLAKOWSKI
reorganized his company while under the intense enemy fire,
issued orders for supporting fire and prepared to reassault
the hamlet. Demonstrating superior tactical skill and inspiring
leadership, he fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile
fire as he led his troops in a second assault.
When
the lead elements of his unit succeeded in reaching the
hamlet, he unhesitatingly advanced through heavy enemy cross
fire and directed his men in aggressive attacks against
the determined enemy. Consolidating his position with two
platoons before darkness descended, Captain KOLAKOWSKI established
a cordon by placing his remaining platoon in a blocking
position adjacent to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam
forces.
Throughout
the night, as the enemy repeatedly attempted to break through
the perimeter in human wave attacks, he disregarded his
own safety as he directed his men in maintaining their positions.
The following morning, Captain KOLAKOWSKI resumed the attack
on the entrapped enemy, contributing significantly to 102
of the enemy confirmed killed, the capture of eighty-eight
soldiers and the destruction or confiscation of large quantities
of ammunition, equipment and valuable documents.
By
his exceptional professionalism, dauntless courage and unswerving
devotion to duty, Captain KOLAKOWSKI upheld the highest
traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States
Naval Service. For
the President,
V. H. KRULAK
LIEUTENANT
GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC
