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First Name: Frankie

Last Name: Molnar

Birthplace: Logan, WV, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Fresno, CA
Middle Name: Zoly



Date of Birth: 14 February 1943

Date of Death: 20 May 1967

Rank: Staff Sergeant

Years Served: 1962 - 1967
Frankie Zoly Molnar

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Frankie Zoly Molnar
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Staff Sergeant Frankie Zoly Molnar (14 February 1943 - 20 May 1967) was a U.S. Army soldier who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Frankie Zoly Molnar was born on 14 February 1943 in Logan, WV. He joined the Army from Fresno, CA in 1965. On 20 May 1967, Molnar was serving as a Staff Sergeant in Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. During an enemy assault that day in Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, Molnar organized his squad's defense and, when a grenade landed among them, covered the blast with his body to save others near him. It was for this self-sacrifice that he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

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.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Frankie Zoly Molnar's name is inscribed on Panel 20E - Line 64.

Death and Burial

Staff Sergeant Frankie Zoly Molnar was killed in action on 20 May 1967. He is buried at Highland Memory Gardens in Godby Heights, WV, in the Everlasting Life Section, Lot 18.



Honoree ID: 1033   Created by: MHOH

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