Julian Olejniczak Silver Star citation
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ESTABLISHED BY AN ACT OF CONGRESS 9 JULY 1918 (AMENDED BY ACT OF 25 JULY 1963) AND AWARDED BY THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SILVER STAR MEDAL
PRESENTED TO
CAPTAIN (INFANTRY) JULIAN M. OLEJNICZAK
UNITED STATES ARMY
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] Julian Olejniczak, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment A-726, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, on 6 July 1964. As Executive Officer of the United States Army Special Forces Detachment A-726 at Camp Nam Dong, Captain Olejniczak participated without outstanding effectiveness in defending the installation when a reinforced Viet Cong Battalion suddenly launched a full-scale, pre-dawn attack on the camp. Upon the initial onslaught, he rushed into a blazing building to assist in the removal of weapons and ammunition. Then, with complete disregard for his own safety, he ran through a hail of gunfire to the west section of the camp to engage the enemy and stop their attempt to penetrate the inner perimeter. Despite the wound he received in this brave action, he then proceeded to a 60-mm. mortar position in the eastern sector of the camp. En route to this position, he succeeded in preventing enemy troops from penetrating the inner perimeter. After covering the 60-mm. mortar position for over twenty minutes, he then rushed toward it and discovered that three of the four defenders in the pit were wounded. Ignoring his own wound, he manned the mortar himself while the wounded men prepared the ammunition. Although he again sustained a severe wound by a grenade that exploded at his feet during this action, he continued to man the gun until ordered to evacuate the position. He then voluntarily moved to a reserve ammunition dump and, despite his multiple wounds, distributed ammunition to soldiers in this area. Throughout the violent battle that lasted five hours and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, he demonstrated fortitude, courage, and devotion to duty that encouraged both American personnel and Vietnamese troops in pursuing their defensive efforts. Captain Olejniczak’s conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military services.
Graduate of U.S. Military Academy (Class ’61)… Retired as Lt. Col. in 1984