Medal of Honor: Frankie Zoly Molnar – Vietnam War – May 20, 1967

Name: Frankie Zoly Molnar
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division
Date of Action: May 20, 1967
Location: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 20 May 1967, Staff Sergeant Frankie Zoly Molnar displayed extraordinary heroism during a fierce enemy assault in Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam.

Shortly after the battalion established its defensive perimeter for the night, enemy mortar rounds began slamming into the American positions in preparation for a major attack.

As explosions ripped through the perimeter, Molnar immediately left the safety of his covered position to check on the readiness of his squad.

While crawling through the defensive area under enemy fire, he spotted a group of North Vietnamese soldiers moving toward his squad’s sector.

Opening fire with deadly accuracy, Molnar killed five enemy soldiers and forced the others to retreat.

Moments later, the mortar barrage ended and the enemy launched a full-scale human wave assault supported by grenades, rockets, automatic weapons, and small-arms fire.

Molnar helped organize and direct the defense as his squad fought off the first attack.

After the assault was repelled, he discovered that his men were running dangerously low on ammunition and grenades.

Again exposing himself to intense enemy fire, Molnar crawled across the battlefield to obtain additional ammunition and personally distributed it among his soldiers.

He then rejoined the fight as the enemy renewed its assault.

Throughout the battle, Molnar moved from position to position under fire, encouraging his men, assisting the wounded, and helping evacuate casualties.

At one point, he and several soldiers attempted to move a severely wounded comrade to safety.

Suddenly, an enemy grenade landed directly among the group.

Seeing the danger before anyone else could react, Molnar instantly threw himself onto the grenade and absorbed the full force of the explosion with his body.

His selfless sacrifice saved the lives of the soldiers around him and helped ensure the successful defense of the American perimeter.

Medal of Honor Citation

MOLNAR, FRANKIE ZOLY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Molnar distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader with Company B, during combat operations. Shortly after the battalion’s defensive perimeter was established, it was hit by intense mortar fire as the prelude to a massive enemy night attack. S/Sgt. Molnar immediately left his sheltered location to insure the readiness of his squad to meet the attack. As he crawled through the position, he discovered a group of enemy soldiers closing in on his squad area. His accurate rifle fire killed 5 of the enemy and forced the remainder to flee. When the mortar fire stopped, the enemy attacked in a human wave supported by grenades, rockets, automatic weapons, and small-arms fire. After assisting to repel the first enemy assault, S/Sgt. Molnar found that his squad’s ammunition and grenade supply was nearly expended. Again leaving the relative safety of his position, he crawled through intense enemy fire to secure additional ammunition and distribute it to his squad. He rejoined his men to beat back the renewed enemy onslaught, and he moved about his area providing medical aid and assisting in the evacuation of the wounded. With the help of several men, he was preparing to move a severely wounded soldier when an enemy hand grenade was thrown into the group. The first to see the grenade, S/Sgt. Molnar threw himself on it and absorbed the deadly blast to save his comrades. His demonstrated selflessness and inspirational leadership on the battlefield were a major factor in the successful defense of the American position and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Army. S/Sgt. Molnar’s actions reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.