Sylvester Antolak

Three times bullets knocked Sergeant Sylvester Antolak to the ground. Three times he rose and continued his advance. On 24 May 1944, near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, during the Allied breakout from the Anzio beachhead, this U.S. Army infantryman performed one of the most extraordinary acts of courage of the Second World War. Serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Antolak led his squad across 200 yards of exposed ground toward a heavily defended German machine gun position.

Advancing approximately 30 yards ahead of his men, Antolak came under intense machine gun, machine pistol and rifle fire. Bullets struck him three times, deeply gashing one shoulder and shattering his right arm. Refusing to abandon the assault, he wedged his submachine gun beneath his uninjured arm and continued forward. Closing to within 15 yards of the enemy position, he opened fire, killing two German defenders and forcing ten others to surrender. Despite his devastating injuries, he refused medical attention, reorganised his men and immediately led them toward another German strongpoint approximately 100 yards away. He was killed by enemy fire while advancing toward this second position, but his squad, inspired by his example, pressed forward and overwhelmed the defenders. His extraordinary actions helped clear the way for his company's advance.

The official Medal of Honor citation, published in War Department General Orders No. 89 on 19 October 1945, credited Antolak with eliminating 20 enemy soldiers, capturing an enemy machine gun and clearing the path for his company to advance. For his conspicuous gallantry, intrepidity and supreme sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His mother, Mary Antolak, received the decoration at a presentation ceremony in St. Clairsville, Ohio, on 1 November 1945. His wounds during the final assault also earned him the Purple Heart. A family-submitted memorial in the American Battle Monuments Commission's World War II Memorial Registry additionally records the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge. The Bronze Star entitlement is consistent with the U.S. Army's 1947 policy authorising retroactive Bronze Star awards for qualifying World War II recipients of the Combat Infantryman Badge. No separate Bronze Star valor citation has been established.

Born in St. Clairsville, Ohio, Antolak enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Hayes, Columbus, on 31 July 1941. He sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, for French Morocco on 24 October 1942 and subsequently served through the North African, Sicilian and Italian campaigns. His wartime service is also recognised by the American Defense Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five campaign credits, and World War II Victory Medal.

Sergeant Sylvester Antolak was laid to rest at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy. In 1947, a United States Army transport ship was renamed the Sgt. Sylvester Antolak in his honour. His story remains a powerful testament to the courage of the American infantryman and the extraordinary determination of a soldier who refused to leave his men behind. His final advance near Anzio secured his place among America's most distinguished Medal of Honor recipients.