Medal of Honor: Robert J. Modrzejewski – Vietnam War, July 18, 1969

Name: Robert J. Modrzejewski
Rank at Time of Action: Major (then Captain)
Conflict: Vietnam War
Unit: Company K, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, U.S. Marine Corps
Date of Action: July 15–18, 1966
Location: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action:
During the blistering jungle heat of Operation HASTINGS, Major Robert J. Modrzejewski led Company K into a dense and enemy-infested region along a critical trail network in northern Quang Tri Province. Their mission was to block the escape route of a North Vietnamese regiment—and it would prove to be one of the most savage firefights of the war.

On July 15th, shortly after landing, Modrzejewski’s Marines were ambushed by a well-entrenched enemy platoon. Without hesitation, he led a direct assault, capturing the enemy position and seizing a vital cache of enemy supplies. But that success would soon trigger a desperate and relentless series of counterattacks.

For two and a half days, Company K was encircled and attacked by waves of North Vietnamese forces, often outnumbered 10 to 1. On the second night, the enemy attacked in battalion strength, and Modrzejewski was seriously wounded in close-quarters combat. Refusing evacuation, he crawled 200 meters through withering enemy fire to deliver ammunition to an exposed squad, then rallied his men from trench to trench, bleeding but unyielding, in the face of annihilation.

On July 18th, a regimental-sized enemy force launched an all-out assault in a final attempt to break through. Though his Marines were exhausted, wounded, and desperately low on ammunition, Major Modrzejewski stood tall in the chaos—calmly walking the line, shouting orders, inspiring courage. He coordinated artillery strikes within meters of his position, using every asset at his disposal to smash the attacking force. When the smoke cleared, the enemy had been repelled—broken and bloodied by the fierce stand of Company K.

His personal valor, tactical brilliance, and unbreakable spirit turned the tide of battle, saving his men from certain destruction and delivering one of the most significant defensive victories of the campaign.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 15 July, during Operation HASTINGS, Company K was landed in an enemy-infested jungle area to establish a blocking position at a major enemy trail network. Shortly after landing, the company encountered a reinforced enemy platoon in a well-organized, defensive position. Maj. Modrzejewski led his men in the successful seizure of the enemy redoubt, which contained large quantities of ammunition and supplies. That evening, a numerically superior enemy force counterattacked in an effort to retake the vital supply area, thus setting the pattern of activity for the next 2 1/2 days. In the first series of attacks, the enemy assaulted repeatedly in overwhelming numbers but each time was repulsed by the gallant marines. The second night, the enemy struck in battalion strength, and Maj. Modrzejewski was wounded in this intensive action which was fought at close quarters. Although exposed to enemy fire, and despite his painful wounds, he crawled 200 meters to provide critically needed ammunition to an exposed element of his command and was constantly present wherever the fighting was heaviest. Despite numerous casualties, a dwindling supply of ammunition and the knowledge that they were surrounded, he skillfully directed artillery fire to within a few meters of his position and courageously inspired the efforts of his company in repelling the aggressive enemy attack. On 18 July, Company K was attacked by a regimental-size enemy force. Although his unit was vastly outnumbered and weakened by the previous fighting, Maj. Modrzejewski reorganized his men and calmly moved among them to encourage and direct their efforts to heroic limits as they fought to overcome the vicious enemy onslaught. Again he called in air and artillery strikes at close range with devastating effect on the enemy, which together with the bold and determined fighting of the men of Company K, repulsed the fanatical attack of the larger North Vietnamese force. His unparalleled personal heroism and indomitable leadership inspired his men to a significant victory over the enemy force and reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service.