The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

CAPTAIN HENRY KOLAKOWSKI, JR.

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

          For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Commanding Officer of Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 30 January 1968, Captain KOLAKOWSKI’s company landed by helicopter in the Hoa Vang District of Quang Nam Province and quickly established a blocking position to contain two Viet Cong battalions on a river island while a nearby Army of the Republic of Vietnam force prepared to assault the enemy position. When the attacking units encountered heavy resistance and faltered, Captain KOLAKOWSKI immediately effected the necessary coordination and led his company to relieve the attacking forces. The Viet Cong, well entrenched in a hamlet surrounded by wire entanglements and making effective use of excellent fields of fire afforded by open rice paddies, were successful in holding back the attacking forces by use of extremely heavy small arms fire, grenades and antitank rockets. With exceptional professional skill and courage, Captain KOLAKOWSKI reorganized his company while under the intense enemy fire, issued orders for supporting fire and prepared to reassault the hamlet. Demonstrating superior tactical skill and inspiring leadership, he fearlessly exposed himself to the hostile fire as he led his troops in a second assault. When the lead elements of his unit succeeded in reaching the hamlet, he unhesitatingly advanced through heavy enemy cross fire and directed his men in aggressive attacks against the determined enemy. Consolidating his position with two platoons before darkness descended, Captain KOLAKOWSKI established a cordon by placing his remaining platoon in a blocking position adjacent to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam forces. Throughout the night, as the enemy repeatedly attempted to break through the perimeter in human wave attacks, he disregarded his own safety as he directed his men in maintaining their positions. The following morning, Captain KOLAKOWSKI resumed the attack on the entrapped enemy, contributing significantly to 102 of the enemy confirmed killed, the capture of  eighty-eight soldiers and the destruction or confiscation of large quantities of ammunition, equipment and valuable documents. By his exceptional professionalism, dauntless courage and unswerving devotion to duty, Captain KOLAKOWSKI upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

For the President,

V. H. KRULAK

LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS

COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC