THE WALL OF FACES

A wreath of Forget-Me-Nots was placed at The Wall in John's honor from the Evergreen Park (IL) High School class of 1965. Many friends hadn't been able to find his name because we never knew that John was adopted by the Saks family, but served in the Army under his birth name. It meant a lot to all of us to finally be able to honor him for his extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty of this great Country. Thank you John - A True America Hero!

HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY VIETNAM
APO San Francisco 96375

14 September 1967

GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 4665

AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS

1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously:

BOROWSKI, JOHN C RA16838078 PRIVATE FIRST CLASS E3 United States Army
Company A, 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade
Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross
Date Action: 10 July 1967
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam:

Private First Class Borowski distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 July 1967 while serving as platoon machine gunner during a large scale search and destroy mission near Dak To. As Private Borowski's platoon investigated a recently traveled trail, it received intense fire from a well entrenched Viet Cong battalion. Firing rifles, automatic weapons and mortars from concealed bunkers, the insurgents were able to inflict numerous casualties on the friendly force. Private Borowski disregarded his own safety in this storm of fire and maneuvered to within 20 meters of the enemy's right flank machine gun position. When his own machine gun was damaged by an insurgent's fire, he continued to engage the hostile gunners using only his pistol. He received a shrapnel wound but never eased his force of attack. Later, despite enemy fire sweeping the area, Private Borowski crawled to a nearby friendly position. He refused medical treatment, grabbed a rifle and grenade launcher, and once again advanced on the Viet Cong. He was mortally wounded while firing with devastating effect into the enemy's bunkers. Private First Class Borowski's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963.

John C. Borowski

DATE OF BIRTH: 14-Nov-46

HOME OF RECORD:
Chicago, Illinois

Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Rank: Private First Class
Battalion: 4th Battalion (Airborne)
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4465 (September 14, 1967)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class John C. Borowski (ASN: RA-16838078), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 4th Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). Private First Class Borowski distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 July 1967 while serving as platoon machine gunner during a large scale search and destroy mission near Dak To. As Private Borowski's platoon investigated a recently traveled trail, it received intense fire from a well entrenched Viet Cong battalion. Firing rifles, automatic weapons and mortars from concealed bunkers, the insurgents were able to inflict numerous casualties on the friendly force. Private Borowski disregarded his own safety in this storm of fire and maneuvered to within 20 meters of the enemy's right flank machine gun position. When his own machine gun was damaged by an insurgent's fire, he continued to engage the hostile gunners using only his pistol. He received a shrapnel wound but never eased his force of attack. Later, despite enemy fire sweeping the area, Private Borowski crawled to a nearby friendly position. He refused medical treatment, grabbed a rifle and grenade launcher, and once again advanced on the Viet Cong. He was mortally wounded while firing with devastating effect into the enemy's bunkers. Private First Class Borowski's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

On behalf of those who served with you in the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) and all who followed, we offer our respect and remembrance of your ultimate sacrifice. May you never be forgotten and your family and friends take comfort in your valor in serving.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THIS HEROIC YOUNG
UNITED STATES ARMY SOLDIER
WHOSE NAME SHALL LIVE FOREVER MORE


PRIVATE FIRST CLASS

JOHN C. BOROWSKI


served heroically with


A COMPANY

4th BATTALION

503rd INFANTRY REGIMENT

" THE ROCK "

173rd AIRBORNE BRIGADE

" SKY SOLDIERS "



and became a
posthumous recipient
of the following
military decorations
and service medals



DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS

PURPLE HEART

NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL

VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL

REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN SERVICE MEDAL


and was entitled to wear both the


COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE

and

ARMY PARACHUTIST BADGE



HE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY IN

ST. MARY'S CEMETERY

EVERGREEN PARK, ILLINOIS




YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE




THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR
THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL
AND THEN, AT LAST,
WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL ©




R E M E M B R A N C E




https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=40841




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DEAR PFC BOROWSKI,
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN INFANTRYMAN, AND YOUR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS. SUNDAY WAS THE 42ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE FALL OF SAIGON. I AM SO SORRY. IT HAS BEEN FAR TOO LONG FOR ALL OF YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE. YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS.