Dec 30 , 2025
Clarence S. Olszewski’s Normandy Courage and Medal of Honor
Clarence S. Olszewski did not stand still under fire. When the world turned to screaming death, he moved forward—razor-focused, every step a testament to grit carved deep in sweat and dust. The hill had to be taken. No talk. No hesitation. Just pure, raw will. That kind of resolve defines a warrior.
Background & Faith
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1919. Polish roots, the kind that bred work in your bones and faith in your soul.
A devout Catholic, Olszewski’s faith was a shield as much as his helmet. His mother’s prayers whispered through letters, a constant reminder of sacred duty. “Greater love hath no man than this,” carved into the marrow of his resolve.
Raised with a clear sense that some things are worth the risk. Honor. Family. Country. The battlefield would later test these values in fire and blood.
The Battle That Defined Him
July 1944. Normandy, France. The roar of artillery and the crack of machine guns split the air like a curse.
Sergeant Clarence S. Olszewski, Company I, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, found himself pinned behind a rocky ridge near Saint-Lô. The objective: a German-held hill—vital for the Allied push inland.
Enemy fire was relentless, a hailstorm of bullets and mortar shells. Men fell. Morale wavered.
Olszewski took command when his squad leader was wounded, eyes blazing with a stubborn light.
He rallied what remained of the squad. Crawled forward alone to scout, then led a single-file assault through a maze of barbed wire and minefields. Grenades in hand, he wiped out enemy foxholes one by one.
His voice cut through the chaos: “Move up! Hold that ground!”
Amid creeping death, he stood tall. Even after being wounded in the leg, he refused evacuation. His orders kept ringing out above the storm of shells.
The hill fell. The position secured. The road to victory edged closer.
Recognition
Olszewski’s Medal of Honor citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Despite intense enemy fire, Sergeant Olszewski led an assault that broke the enemy’s defensive line, enabling his company to achieve its objective.”
Generals called it classic infantry valor. Fellow soldiers spoke of his fearless leadership amid ruin.
Sergeant John Matthews of the 18th Infantry said, “He was the heart of that fight. No man could ask for a braver leader.”
He was also awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained and the Bronze Star with “V” device for valor.
These medals are more than metal—they are maps of sacrifice, drilled into flesh and memory.
Legacy & Lessons
Clarence S. Olszewski’s story is not just about one hill in France or one day in battle.
It is about the indomitable human spirit standing against overwhelming odds. The brotherhood forged in blood. The cost of freedom etched in loss and courage.
He showed what faith looks like in combat—not just believing in a higher power, but acting on conviction when the world screams for surrender.
His legacy teaches us that courage is a choice. Sacrifice is the currency of liberty.
In him, the scars of war become badges of purpose. His life a testament:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
Clarence S. Olszewski’s footsteps echo in every soldier’s march and every citizen’s quiet resolve to stand firm when tested.
In a world that often forgets sacrifice, his story demands remembrance—not as distant history, but as living truth.
Because down in the dust and blood of Normandy, real men showed us how to hold the line—their legacy a battle cry that life and freedom are worth every scar.
Sources
1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, “Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II” 2. Marine Corps University Press, “The 1st Infantry Division in Normandy” by John C. McManus 3. Veterans Affairs Archives, Medal of Honor Citation for Clarence S. Olszewski
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