

Rank and organization: Major
(then Capt.), U.S. Marine Corps, Company K, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d
Marine Division, FMF. Place and date: Republic
of Vietnam,
15 to 18 July 1966. Entered service at:
Milwaukee, Wis. Born: 3 July 1934,
Milwaukee,
Wis. 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 2½ 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.