An exceptional Military Medal and U.S. Silver Star pair awarded to Sergeant K. Jakubowski, 22nd Infantry, United States Army

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (S.Sjt. K. Jakubowski, U.S. Army); U.S.A. Silver Star, unnamed as issued, the first with its damaged card box of issue which is named and dated 25.6.45, extremely fine and very rare (2) £1500-2000

Whilst awards to Foreign Nationals were never Gazetted, the following details have been extracted from the Public Record Office:

‘Kazmier Jakubowski, 3301678, Staff Sergeant, Company K, 22d Infantry, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in the vicinity of Brandscheid, Germany, 5 February 1945. Sergeant Jakubowski, an assistant squad leader, accompanied his unit in an attack upon an enemy-held town. After the company had become immobilized by tank fire he fired a rifle grenade which ignited the lead tank and caused the others to withdraw. His squad leader became a casualty in an ensuing fire fight, and Sergeant Jakubowski ably substituted, providing daring leadership. His platoon occupied a fortification, but the enemy counter-attacked and broke through the positions, separating the squads. Sergeant Jakubowski led his men in a fight to escape the trap, then joined a task force endeavouring to free the other squads.

Mounting a tank which he rode through a storm of hostile fire, Sgt Jakubowski killed an enemy soldier preparing to discharge a rocket. He was later knocked from the tank and seriously wounded by machine gun fire but his valorous action left the remainder of the task force free to rescue the surrounded units. Sgt Jakubowski ‘s courage and initiative reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.’

The above recommendation for Sergeant Jakubowski’s immediate award was endorsed by both General Patton and Field Marshal Montgomery.