Philip P. Ignaszewski

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star Medal to Philip P. Ignaszewski (0-2011636), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, on 23 February 1945, near Styring Wendel, France. While attacking strong enemy positions over uneven terrain covered with heavy undergrowth, the advance of Company B, was held up by heavy fire from two machine gun nests and riflemen and by a heavy mortar fire. Despite the grave danger involved, Lieutenant Ignaszewski picked up a light machine gun and advanced in the assault firing from his hip, halting only occasionally to throw grenades into the hostile positions. As a result of his gallant leadership in the face of concealed enemy fire both hostile machine gun nests and their crews were wiped out, a number of riflemen killed, and his company enabled to take its objective with light casualties.