Medal of Honor: John W. Dutko - World War II - May 23, 1944

Name: John W. Dutko
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: 3d Infantry Division
Date of Action: May 23, 1944
Location: Near Ponte Rotto, Italy

Summary of Action

On 23 May 1944, Private First Class John W. Dutko displayed extraordinary heroism during combat operations near Ponte Rotto, Italy.

At the height of an intense German artillery barrage, American troops were pinned down by the combined fire of three machine guns and an 88mm artillery piece.

The enemy weapons dominated the battlefield and threatened to halt the American advance completely.

Without waiting for orders and fully aware of the danger, Dutko suddenly left the protection of an abandoned enemy trench and launched a one-man assault directly into the concentrated fire.

As artillery shells exploded around him and machine-gun bullets tore through the ground at his feet, he sprinted more than one hundred yards across the fire-swept terrain.

Pausing only briefly inside a shell crater, he continued advancing toward the enemy positions.

Closing to within thirty yards of the first machine-gun nest, Dutko hurled a grenade that killed both German gunners.

Immediately afterward, fire from a second machine gun struck and wounded him, knocking him to the ground.

Despite his wounds, Dutko rose and continued forward.

Firing his Browning Automatic Rifle from the hip, he charged directly toward the 88mm gun emplacement.

At a range of only ten yards, he unleashed a devastating burst of fire that killed the entire five-man gun crew.

Turning toward the machine gun that had wounded him, Dutko killed both members of its crew as well.

Even then, a third German machine gun opened fire and wounded him again as he advanced in a half-run toward the final position.

Ignoring his mortal injuries, Dutko pressed forward and killed the last two enemy gunners with a final burst from his Browning Automatic Rifle.

Still moving toward the enemy weapon, he collapsed and died beside the destroyed gun position, his body falling across the dead German crew.

His fearless attack annihilated the enemy strongpoint and became one of the most extraordinary displays of individual valor during the Italian Campaign.

Medal of Honor Citation

DUTKO, JOHN W.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, on 23 May 1944, near Ponte Rotto, Italy. Pfc. Dutko left the cover of an abandoned enemy trench at the height of an artillery concentration in a single-handed attack upon 3 machineguns and an 88mm. mobile gun. Despite the intense fire of these 4 weapons which were aimed directly at him, Pfc. Dutko ran 10.0 yards through the impact area, paused momentarily in a shell crater, and then continued his l-man assault. Although machinegun bullets kicked up the dirt at his heels, and 88mm. shells exploded within 30 yards of him, Pfc. Dutko nevertheless made his way to a point within 30 yards of the first enemy machinegun and killed both gunners with a hand grenade. Although the second machinegun wounded him, knocking him to the ground, Pfc. Dutko regained his feet and advanced on the 88mm. gun, firing his Browning automatic rifle from the hip. When he came within 10 yards of this weapon he killed its 5-man crew with 1 long burst of fire. Wheeling on the machinegun which had wounded him, Pfc. Dutko killed the gunner and his assistant. The third German machinegun fired on Pfc. Dutko from a position 20 yards distant wounding him a second time as he proceeded toward the enemy weapon in a half run. He killed both members of its crew with a single burst from his Browning automatic rifle, continued toward the gun and died, his body falling across the dead German crew.