The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Frank L. Piontek, Jr. (ASN: 0-1292939), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 25 January 1945, in the vicinity of Bennwihr, France. During an attack, Company B lost ten men in a mine field covered by heavy machine gun fire. While returning the next day, Captain Piontek noted a slight movement in the snow-covered mine field. Forgetting his own fatigue and regardless of personal danger from mines and enemy machine guns, Captain Piontek advanced two hundred yards into the open field and carried the wounded soldier back for medical attention. Such gallantry, under hazardous conditions, reflects the highest credit upon Captain Piontek and upon the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
254th Infantry RegimentDivision:
63d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
January 23, 1945
Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 95 (March 13, 1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Frank L. Piontek, Jr. (ASN: 0-1292939), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations on 23 January 1945. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 65th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
3d BattalionRegiment:
254th Infantry RegimentDivision:
63d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
April 25, 1945
Headquarters, 63d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 542 (August 16, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Frank L. Piontek, Jr. (ASN: 0-1292939), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 25 April 1945, in the vicinity of Leipheim, Germany. During an extremely heavy enemy counterattack in the city, Captain Piontek went forward in an effort to keep the line from breaking, and saw that our troops were withdrawing. When an enemy machine gun opened fire on him, he took cover in a building and discovered an abandoned machine gun. Taking up the gun, he left cover and advanced in the face of the enemy, firing into their positions as he advanced. He continued to fire until his ammunition was almost exhausted, forcing the enemy back almost one hundred yards. He then held his position for the next hour, until our troops regained the advantage and re-took the ground which they had lost. His heroic action prevented the line from breaking and contributed materially to the defeat of the counterattack. Captain Piontek’s magnificent courage in the face of enemy fire are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.