MOLNAR, FRANKIE ZOLY

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division

Place: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam

Date: 20 May 1967

Entered service at: Fresno, California

Born: 14 February 1943, Logan, West Virginia

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

S/Sgt. Molnar distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader with Company B, during combat operations. Shortly after the battalion's defensive perimeter was established, it was hit by intense mortar fire as the prelude to a massive enemy night attack. S/Sgt. Molnar immediately left his sheltered location to insure the readiness of his squad to meet the attack. As he crawled through the position, he discovered a group of enemy soldiers closing in on his squad area. His accurate rifle fire killed 5 of the enemy. and forced the remainder to flee. When the mortar fire stopped, the enemy attacked in a human wave supported by grenades, rockets, automatic weapons, and small-arms fire. After assisting to repel the first enemy assault, S/Sgt. Molnar found that his squad's ammunition and grenade supply was nearly expended. Again leaving the relative safety of his position, he crawled through intense enemy fire to secure additional ammunition and distribute it to his squad. He rejoined his men to beat back the renewed enemy onslaught, and he moved about his area providing medical aid and assisting in the evacuation of the wounded. With the help of several men, he was preparing to move a severely wounded soldier when an enemy hand grenade was thrown into the group. The first to see the grenade, S/Sgt. Molnar threw himself on it and absorbed the deadly blast to save his comrades. His demonstrated selflessness and inspirational leadership on the battlefield were a major factor in the successful defense of the American position and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Army. S/Sgt. Molnar's actions reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

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--- General / Personal ---

Last name: MOLNAR
First name: FRANKIE ZOLY
Home of Record (official): NEW BRUNSWICK
State (official): NJ
Date of Birth: Sunday, February 14, 1943
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Married

--- Military ---

Branch: Army
Rank: SSG
Serial Number: 19732622
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E6
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B40

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Thursday, September 15, 1966
Date of Casualty: Saturday, May 20, 1967
Age at time of loss: 24
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Other explosive device (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Pleiku
The Wall: Panel 20E - Row 064

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