THE WALL OF FACES

I never got to meet you but always know you and grandpa are with me making sure I’m safe. Proud to be called your niece.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Silver Star citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

Private First Class William Walter Bednarz, Served with the 1st Platoon, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

My father, the late James Bednarz, named my brother Martin William Bednarz after his cousin. I would love to find out more information about William if anyone were to read this please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. God bless. Jim Bednarz

William Walter Bednarz
DATE OF BIRTH: September 30, 1943
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Chicago, Illinois
HOME OF RECORD:
Chicago, Illinois
Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Rank: Private First Class
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Division: 25th Infantry Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class William Walter Bednarz (ASN: 54809573), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Private First Class Bednarz distinguished himself by heroic actions on 16 May 1967 near Ap Rach Gau (2), Republic of Vietnam, while serving as a machine gunner when his company was engaged in a night assault against a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Immediately upon debarking the aircraft, Private Bednarz's platoon became separated from the rest of the company and came under heavy enemy machine gun and automatic weapons fire from the front and left flank. Private Bednarz demonstrated great personal courage as he assaulted the enemy positions and delivered a continuous and effective volume of fire. At one point, Private Bednarz engaged a sniper who had stopped the movement of the company and had the company commander and his radio operator pinned down in a open field. After killing the enemy sniper, Private Bednarz shifted his fire to an automatic weapon position threatening the company's left flank. He took up a position on a berm and fired his weapon from the shoulder to place more effective fire on the enemy. While performing this hazardous mission, Private Bednarz was mortally wounded. Private Bednarz acted with great courage and determination in the face of intense enemy fire. His heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.