Medal of Honor: Captain Edward C. Krzyzowski, Korean War, August 31 – September 3, 1951

Captain Edward C. Krzyzowski

War: Korean War
Date of Action: August 31 – September 3, 1951

Summary of Action

In late summer 1951, during the grinding war for Korea’s rugged hills and ridgelines, Captain Edward Krzyzowski commanded Company B, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in an assault on the enemy’s fortress-like position atop Hill 700 near Tondul. The hill was a linchpin in the battle for the sector, and the enemy defended it with interlocking bunkers, automatic weapons, and determined infantry who fought with ferocity.

As his company advanced up the steep, fire-swept slope, murderous crossfire pinned the men down. Rather than hold back, Krzyzowski moved forward himself, personally destroying one bunker with grenades and silencing another with carbine fire. When the attack stalled under the punishing fire, he pulled his company back to reorganize for a renewed assault.

At dawn the next day, Krzyzowski once again led his battered men uphill. They gained ground, took enemy positions, and inflicted heavy casualties, but the enemy countered with overwhelming numbers. Ordering the evacuation of the wounded, Krzyzowski stayed behind to provide covering fire, even after grenade fragments tore into him. He refused to be evacuated, continuing to direct and inspire his men through sheer willpower.

On September 3rd, Company B launched yet another attack. Through Krzyzowski’s leadership, they overran more bunkers, but were again pinned by relentless fire. Determined to break the stalemate, Krzyzowski advanced alone to an open knoll, exposed to every weapon on the hill. From there, he plotted mortar concentrations that hammered the enemy strongholds—until a sniper’s bullet struck him down. His men carried on the fight, inspired by his final sacrifice.

For three days, Captain Krzyzowski’s indomitable courage transformed what could have been a defeat into a defiant stand. His actions gave his men the time, leadership, and spirit they needed to endure in one of the Korean War’s bitter tests of will.

Medal of Honor Citation

Capt. Krzyzowski distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy as commanding officer of Company B. Spearheading an assault against strongly defended Hill 700, his company came under vicious crossfire and grenade attack from enemy bunkers. Creeping up the fire-swept hill, he personally eliminated 1 bunker with his grenades and wiped out a second with carbine fire. Forced to retire to more tenable positions for the night, the company, led by Capt. Krzyzowski, resumed the attack the following day, gaining several hundred yards and inflicting numerous casualties. Overwhelmed by the numerically superior hostile force, he ordered his men to evacuate the wounded and move back. Providing protective fire for their safe withdrawal, he was wounded again by grenade fragments, but refused evacuation and continued to direct the defense. On 3 September, he led his valiant unit in another assault which overran several hostile positions, but again the company was pinned down by murderous fire. Courageously advancing alone to an open knoll to plot mortar concentrations against the hill, he was killed instantly by an enemy sniper’s fire. Capt. Krzyzowski’s consummate fortitude, heroic leadership, and gallant self-sacrifice, so clearly demonstrated throughout 3 days of bitter combat, reflect the highest credit and lasting glory on himself, the infantry, and the U.S. Army.