Tony Kudiak

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Tony Kudiak (20312736), Technical Sergeant [then Sergeant], U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 5 November 1944, in Germany. As an enemy tank approximately one hundred yards away threatened his squad’s position, Technical Sergeant Kudiak secured a rocket launcher and stalked the tank. Ignoring intense tank fire, he advanced to within twenty yards of the tank, fired two rounds and completely immobilized it. As the crew attempted to escape the flaming tank, he killed or wounded the entire crew with his rifle. When the enemy launched a second counterattack, Technical Sergeant Kudiak proceeded voluntarily to an abandoned tank destroyer and fired fifteen rounds at the assaulting Germans at close range, inflicting heavy casualties and blocking the enemy advance. Technical Sergeant Kudiak’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 28th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.