Daniel J. Machcinski

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Daniel J. Machcinski (US52007862), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Private First Class Machcinski distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Pandangdong-ni, Korea, on 13 October 1951. On that date, Private Machcinski’s company was engaged in an attack against a fanatical enemy force occupying heavily fortified hill positions. As the friendly troops advanced, they were subjected to a devastating volume of automatic weapons fire that forced them to seek cover on the bare slope. It was immediately determined that the heaviest fire originated from a single bunker and several men moved forward in an effort to destroy it. All of these attacks failed, and Private Machcinski, realizing that his comrades faced annihilation, unhesitatingly volunteered to attempt to eliminate the position. With the knowledge that he faced almost certain death, he moved directly into the enemy fire and advanced on the bunker. With grim determination he moved to a position within a few yards of the bunker and eliminated its occupants with rifle fire and grenades. This enabled the friendly troops to renew their assault, and as they moved forward, Private Machcinski made his way over the crest of the hill, where he spotted another enemy bunker. With total disregard for his personal safety, he single-handedly assaulted this new threat, moving steadily forward until he was mortally wounded by the intense hostile fire. The extraordinary heroism and self sacrifice of Private Machcinski enabled his comrades to secure their objective with a minimum of casualties.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 36 (January 18, 1952)