Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Company D, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division "Blood and Fire", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

March 13th, 1945

Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 95

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Company D, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division "Blood and Fire", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

June 12th, 1945

"For gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 25 January 1945, in the vicinity of Bennwihr, France. During an attack, Company B lost ten men in a mine field covered by heavy machine gun fire. While returning the next day, Captain Piontek noted a slight movement in the snow-covered mine field. Forgetting his own fatigue and regardless of personal danger from mines and enemy machine guns, Captain Piontek advanced two hundred yards into the open field and carried the wounded soldier back for medical attention. Such gallantry, under hazardous conditions, reflects the highest credit upon Captain Piontek and upon the Armed Forces of the United States."

Headquarters, 63d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 227 (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Company L, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division "Blood and Fire", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

August 16th, 1945

"For gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 25 April 1945, in the vicinity of Leipheim, Germany. During an extremely heavy enemy counterattack in the city, Captain Piontek went forward in an effort to keep the line from breaking, and saw that our troops were withdrawing. When an enemy machine gun opened fire on him, he took cover in a building and discovered an abandoned machine gun. Taking up the gun, he left cover and advanced in the face of the enemy, firing into their positions as he advanced. He continued to fire until his ammunition was almost exhausted, forcing the enemy back almost one hundred yards. He then held his position for the next hour, until our troops regained the advantage and re-took the ground which they had lost. His heroic action prevented the line from breaking and contributed materially to the defeat of the counterattack. Captain Piontek's magnificent courage in the face of enemy fire are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States."

Headquarters, 63d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 542 (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)