- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Captain (16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division "Big Red One" U.S. Army)
- Awarded on:
- October 15th, 1943
For extraordinary heroism in action on 11 July 1943 in the Gela-Niscemi sector, Sicily. Captain Wozenski, with about fifty men and officers, was holding a vital hill when the enemy counterattacked with about ten tanks and approximately a battalion of infantry. The tanks surrounded the hill firing at point blank range when Captain Wozenski seized a rocket gun and, while constantly exposed to tank, artillery, machine gun and small arms fire, moved from point to point firing on the tanks and encouraging and directing his men to do likewise. He personally knocked out two tanks, one of them by firing into its rear after it had passed over his foxhole. Captain Wozenski's superbly heroic, calm determined conduct inspired his men to resist in an apparently hopeless situation and was a prime factor in the defeat of the enemy's counterattack.
For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 6 June 1944, in France. On D-Day, Captain Wozenski's company suffered numerous casualties in reaching the fire-swept invasion beach. Boldly, he moved along the beach, at the risk of his life, to reorganize his battered troops. The reorganization completed, he courageously led his men through heavy machine gun and small arms fire across the beach and toward an enemy dominated ridge. Demoralizing fire from a powerful installation on the ridge threatened to stop the attack. Ordering his men to deploy to the flanks of the enemy position, Captain Wozenski, with great valor, advanced alone to within 100 yards of the emplacement. With cool and calm efficiency, he engaged the fortification single handedly with rifle fire to divert attention of the enemy from the flanking movement. Upon observing this valiant soldier, the enemy directed the fire of its machine guns on him but Captain Wozenski, with complete disregard for his own safety, continued the harassing fire until his men reached their positions safely. His inspired troops charged the strongpoint vigorously and completely destroyed it, inflicting numerous casualties upon the enemy. By his superb leadership and fearless courage, Captain Wozenski exemplified the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.