William Walter Bednarz

The database page for William Walter Bednarz

16 Dec 2003 Bill, you've always been with me and always will. You will never be forgotten. Rich From his brother, Richard Bednarz E-Mail may be forwarded via the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

24 Dec 2003 Proud to have known and served with Bill. He will always remain on our minds and in our hearts. From a fellow Wolfhound, Craig Sinske craigfromnc@webtv.net

26 May 2005 Bill, You will always be remembered not only as a high school friend with a quick smile, but as the true example of a "Real American Hero". Sgt. Mo A Co/2nd Bn/12th Infantry E-Mail will be forwarded by the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

A Note from The Virtual Wall "C" Company, 2/27th Infantry, lost two men on 16 May 1967: PFC William W. Bednarz and SP4 Bickett O. Wade of Charlotte, North Carolina. Headquarters 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION APO San Francisco 96375 DATE GENERAL ORDERS AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. BEDNARZ, WILLIAM WALTER 54809573 Private First Class Infantry COMPANY C, 2D BATTALION, 27TH INFANTRY REGIMENT Awarded: Silver Star Date action: 16 May 1967 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: PFC. Bednarz distinguished himself by heroic actions on 16 May 1967 near Ap Rach Gau (2), RVN, while serving as a machine gunner when his company was engaged in a night assault against a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Immediately upon debarking the aircraft, Private Bednarz's platoon became separated from the rest of the company and came under heavy enemy machine gun and automatic weapons fire from the front and left flank. Private Bednarz demonstrated great personal courage as he assaulted the enemy positions and delivered a continuous and effective volume of fire. At one point, Private Bednarz engaged a sniper who had stopped the movement of the company and had the company commander and his radio operator pinned down in a open field. After killing the enemy sniper, Private Bednarz shifted his fire to an automatic weapon position threatening the company's left flank. He took up a position on a berm and fired his weapon from the shoulder to place more effective fire on the enemy. While performing this hazardous mission, Private Bednarz was mortally wounded. Private Bednarz acted with great courage and determination in the face of intense enemy fire. His heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President of the United States under the provisions of the Act of Congress established 9 July 1918.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his brother, Richard Bednarz E-Mail may be forwarded via the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org 16 Dec 2003

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 06/08/2005