Walter Szelugoski
Corporal, U.S. Army

On 23-24 March 1943, then-Corporal Walter Szelugoski was serving with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Seventh U.S. Army.

On that day, CPL Szelugoski’s unit was in action against German forces when the German 10th Panzer Division attacked 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, at ***, near *****, Tunisia, during the Battle of El Guettar in the Tunisian Campaign. When the strong enemy force attacked in the sector of Company **, CPL Szelugoski, together with his squad from the mortar platoon, turned their 81-mm mortar on the enemy, shelled the German positions and destroyed a machine gun. Almost immediately, German artillery located the mortars and fired initial concentrations directly into the mortar emplacements. While nearby crews sought cover from the intense artillery fire, CPL Szelugoski called to his lieutenant for firing data and continued to use his weapon. A sergeant, sensing the accuracy of the artillery, called for the mortars to be moved. Before CPL Szelugoski's mortar could be shifted, a direct hit from a tank's gun struck the position, felling the weapon and hurling the crew to the ground. Ignoring his personal safety, CPL Szelugoski, with his two companions, righted the weapon and resumed fire, destroying another enemy machine gun. When a second direct hit on the mortar killed CPL Szelugoski, he fell with a mortar shell, ready for loading, clenched tightly in his hands. CPL Szelugoski’s calm determination, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 2 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Croix de Guerre with Palm (France)
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Walter Szelugoski (ASN: 11010304), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at ***, near *****, Tunisia, on 24 March 1943. When a strong enemy force attacked in the sector of Company **, 18th Infantry Regiment, Corporal Szelugoski, together with his squad from the mortar platoon, turned their 81-mm. mortar on the enemy, shelled his positions and destroyed a machine gun. Almost immediately afterwards, enemy artillery located the mortars and fired initial concentrations directly into the mortar emplacements. While nearby crews sought cover from the intense artillery fire, Corporal Szelugoski called to his lieutenant for firing data and continued to employ his weapon. A sergeant, sensing the accuracy of the artillery, called for the mortars to be moved. Before Corporal Szelugoski's mortar could be shifted a direct hit from the tank's gun struck the position, felling the weapon and hurling the crew to the ground. Corporal Szelugoski with his two companions and with complete disregard for his own safety righted the weapon and resumed fire, destroying another machine gun. When a second direct hit on the mortar killed Corporal Szelugoski, he fell with a mortar shell, ready for loading, clenched tightly in his hands. His perseverance and coolness under fire were an inspiration to his squad and exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States, reflecting great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 16 (August 18, 1943)

Memorialization

The remains of Corporal Walter Szelugoski were never recovered. He is memorialized by having his name inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56250724/walter-szelugoski