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R E S T R I C T E D
HEADQUARTERS XVIII CORPS (AIRBORNE)
APO 2109, United States Army
CITATION FOR THE
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Walter J. Bednarz, 20109683,
Corporal, Infantry, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in
connection with military operations against an armed enemy, on 17 September
1944. Corporal Bednarz, as leader of a squad of eight men, was given the
mission of establishing and defending a roadblock at important road junction
at Beek, Holland. A patrol of 18 German parachutists armed with machine guns
and machine pistols attacked and attempted to destroy the position. Corporal
Bednarz, upon seeing that he could not fire on this patrol without
endangering the lives of a group of civilians directly between his position
and the enemy, without regard for his own safety, leapt from his dug-in
position and rushed to meet the oncoming enemy. At point blank range he
sprayed the attackers with submachinegun fire. His action in single-handedly
attacking a vastly superior enemy force in such a manner required the
highest type of courage. The unhesitating action of Corporal Bednarz in a
critical and unusual situation saved the lives of a number of innocent
persons, rendered a most distinguished service by the destruction of an
unknown number of enemy and strengthened the security of the position.
Corporal Bednarz was killed in this action. Entered military service from
Massachusetts.
M . B. RIDGWAY
Major
General, U.S. Army
Commanding
R E S T R I C T E D
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