Frank C. Zalewski
Private First Class, U.S. Army

On 27 August 1944, then-Private First Class Frank C. Zalewski was serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Seventh U.S. Army.

On that day, PFC Zalewski’s unit was in action against German forces while advancing up the Rhone Valley, through the Vosges Mountains in France. At 0800 hours, near Begude, France, PFC Zalewski voluntarily ran, and crawled, 300 yards through intense German machine gun fire and mortar concentrations. Despite shells that exploded 10 yards away, PFC Zalewski took his bazooka to an exposed position and knocked out a German half-track. With only one rocket left, PFC Zalewski remained at his post and, at a range 40 yards, destroyed an enemy tank that charged him with both machine guns blazing. By setting both the half-track and tank afire and killing 8 Germans, PFC Zalewski saved an infantry platoon from destruction. PFC Zalewski’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 24 September 1944, while engaged in the Siegfried Line Campaign, PFC Zalewski was Killed in Action.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin, Silver and Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal
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 Private First Class Frank C. Zalewski (ASN: 32797017), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 27 August 1944, in France. At 0800 hours on 27 August 1944, near Begude, France, Private First Class Zalewski voluntarily ran and crawled three hundred and forth yards through intense machine gun fire and mortar concentrations. Despite shells which exploded ten yards away, he took his bazooka to an exposed position and knocked out an enemy half-track. With only one rocket left, he remained at his post and destroyed at forty yards range an enemy tank which charged him with both machine guns blazing. Setting both half-track and tank afire and killing eight Germans, Private First class Zalewski saved an infantry platoon from destruction. He was killed in a subsequent action. Private First Class Zalewski's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, SEVENTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 181 (1945)

Burial

Private First Class Frank C. Zalewski is buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Epinal, Departement des Vosges, Lorraine, France, in Plot A, Row 11, Grave 50.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56376510/frank-c-zalewski