Medal of Honor: Stephen Edward Karopczyc – U.S. Army – Vietnam War

Name: Stephen Edward Karopczyc
Rank: First Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company A, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division
Place: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Bethpage, New York
Born: 5 March 1944, New York, New York

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Summary of Action

On March 12, 1967, First Lieutenant Stephen Edward Karopczyc was leading the 3rd Platoon of Company A during a flanking maneuver against a numerically superior North Vietnamese force in Kontum Province.

While advancing toward the main enemy position, the platoon’s lead element became engaged with an enemy unit along their route.

Understanding the urgency of reaching and relieving a friendly platoon already under heavy pressure, Karopczyc dashed into the open under intense enemy fire.

He threw colored smoke grenades to mark the enemy positions for helicopter gunships and personally directed the attack.

Moving fearlessly among his soldiers, he encouraged their advance and marked hostile positions with bursts of fire from his own weapon.

His leadership forced the enemy to fall back, allowing his platoon to press forward and engage the main hostile force.

Throughout the fight he repeatedly exposed himself while running from position to position, directing fire and rallying his men.

During the battle he was struck above the heart by a sniper’s bullet.

Refusing medical aid, he plugged the bleeding wound with his finger until it could be bandaged.

As enemy pressure increased, he ordered his platoon to establish a defensive perimeter around abandoned bunkers and continued directing the defense.

During the fighting, an enemy soldier threw a grenade that landed only a few feet from Karopczyc and two wounded soldiers.

Although he was protected by his position, he leaped forward and placed a steel helmet over the grenade.

When it exploded, fragments tore into his legs, but his action shielded the wounded soldiers from further injury.

Despite severe wounds and growing weakness, he continued to lead and direct his men for two more hours.

Only after ensuring the defense of his position did he finally succumb to his wounds.

His extraordinary courage and devotion to his men ensured the success of the platoon’s mission and inspired everyone who fought beside him.

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Medal of Honor Citation

KAROPCZYC, STEPHEN EDWARD

Place and date: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, 12 March 1967.

Born: 5 March 1944, New York, N.Y.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While leading the 3d Platoon, Company A, on a flanking maneuver against a superior enemy force, 1st Lt. Karopczyc observed that his lead element was engaged with a small enemy unit along his route. Aware of the importance of quickly pushing through to the main enemy force in order to provide relief for a hard-pressed friendly platoon, he dashed through the intense enemy fire into the open and hurled colored smoke grenades to designate the foe for attack by helicopter gunships. He moved among his men to embolden their advance, and he guided their attack by marking enemy locations with bursts of fire from his own weapon. His forceful leadership quickened the advance, forced the enemy to retreat, and allowed his unit to close with the main hostile force. Continuing the deployment of his platoon, he constantly exposed himself as he ran from man to man to give encouragement and to direct their efforts. A shot from an enemy sniper struck him above the heart but he refused aid for this serious injury, plugging the bleeding wound with his finger until it could be properly dressed. As the enemy strength mounted, he ordered his men to organize a defensive position in and around some abandoned bunkers where he conducted a defense against the increasingly strong enemy attacks. After several hours, a North Vietnamese soldier hurled a hand grenade to within a few feet of 1st Lt. Karopczyc and 2 other wounded men. Although his position protected him, he leaped up to cover the deadly grenade with a steel helmet. It exploded to drive fragments into 1st Lt. Karopczyc’s legs, but his action prevented further injury to the 2 wounded men. Severely weakened by his multiple wounds, he continued to direct the actions of his men until he succumbed 2 hours later. 1st Lt. Karopczyc’s heroic leadership, unyielding perseverance, and selfless devotion to his men were directly responsible for the successful and spirited action of his platoon throughout the battle and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.