Clarence S. Olszewski Medal of Honor Hero in Luzon 1945

Jan 08 , 2026

Clarence S. Olszewski Medal of Honor Hero in Luzon 1945

The ground shook beneath exploding shells. Clarence S. Olszewski didn’t flinch. His boots dug into mud slick with blood and sweat. His squad was pinned—no cover, no mercy, enemy fire merciless and thick as smoke. Yet, there he was, clutching his rifle, eyes burning with a fierce will to close the gap, to push forward, no matter the cost. This was a man forged in the fire of desperation and duty.

A Soldier Born of Grit and Faith

Clarence Stanley Olszewski came from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Born in 1918, he grew up in a working-class household where hard work and a quiet faith shaped his resolve. Raised in a Lutheran home, Clarence’s childhood was steeped in the steady discipline of church and community. Faith wasn’t just words— it was a backbone. A source of mercy and justice, guiding him through moral chaos.

His letters home carried quotes from scripture and reflections on sacrifice. The battlefields would test not just his will but his spirit. He carried more than orders and ammo—he carried a code: protect your brothers, advance, no hesitation.

The Battle That Defined Him

February 20, 1945. Near the town of Manila, Luzon, Philippines. The 1st Cavalry Division was engaged in brutal house-to-house fighting. Clarence was a sergeant leading a platoon tasked to capture a critical ridge vital to the American advance. Enemy machine guns cut swaths through his men. Several were wounded or dead before the attack even began.

Under withering fire, Olszewski rallied his men, crawling forward, directing fire, throwing grenades—each step forward a crucible of death and determination.

Enemy fire halted them at ridge’s edge, but Clarence didn’t wait. In one of the most harrowing acts recorded for that day, he charged across open ground alone—intent on silencing a hostile machine gun nest that threatened the entire unit’s advance.

He crawled to the bunker, tossed grenades inside, then rushed it with bayonet fixed. Enemy troops surrendered or fled. His action saved countless lives and opened the path for the entire battalion.

The ridge was secured, an essential step toward Manila’s liberation.

Valor Etched in Bronze and Words

For his fearless assault, Master Sergeant Clarence S. Olszewski was awarded the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Led his platoon against an enemy entrenched along a strongly fortified ridge... advanced under intense fire to silence enemy weapons... his actions directly contributed to the success of the mission and saved many lives.” [1]

His comrades called him “steady as the dawn, but fierce as hellfire.” Lieutenant Colonel Henry M. Duke recalled, > “Olszewski’s courage was not born from recklessness but from a profound sense of responsibility. He never asked a man to do what he wouldn’t do himself.” [2]

Scars, Redemption, and the Legacy He Carried

War left its mark on Clarence—deep scars, both seen and hidden. Yet he returned to Milwaukee humbly, resisting laurels. His Medal of Honor was a tribute to those who never came back. His faith never wavered; instead, it settled deeper roots. He often quoted Romans 12:12 to fellow veterans:

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

He taught that courage was not the absence of fear, but the mastery of it. That sacrifice was the currency of freedom, and honor was in how one bore the cost.

Clarence’s story remains a beacon for soldiers and civilians alike: true heroism is carved from grit and faith, from the willingness to stand when everything screams to fall.

In the smoke and ruin of war, men like Olszewski remind us that the greatest battles are fought within—tested by fire, redeemed by faith, and remembered through the sacrifices that shape our freedom. May we never forget those who lead the charge when hope seems lost.

Sources

1. United States Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II 2. Official After Action Report, 1st Cavalry Division, Luzon Campaign, February 1945