Stephen Edward Karopczyc
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

First Lieutenant Stephen Edward Karopczyc (5 March 1944 - 12 March 1967) was a U.S. Army officer who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War.

Stephen Edward Karopczyc was born on 5 March 1944, in New York, NY. He was a 1961 graduate of Chaminade High School and entered the U.S. Army at Bethpage, NY.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, 12 March 1967.

Entered service at: Bethpage, NY. Born: 5 March 1944, New York, NY.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While leading the 3d Platoon, Company A, on a flanking maneuver against a superior enemy force, 1st Lt. Karopczyc observed that his lead element was engaged with a small enemy unit along his route. Aware of the importance of quickly pushing through to the main enemy force in order to provide relief for a hard-pressed friendly platoon, he dashed through the intense enemy fire into the open and hurled colored smoke grenades to designate the foe for attack by helicopter gunships. He moved among his men to embolden their advance, and he guided their attack by marking enemy locations with bursts of fire from his own weapon. His forceful leadership quickened the advance, forced the enemy to retreat, and allowed his unit to close with the main hostile force. Continuing the deployment of his platoon, he constantly exposed himself as he ran from man to man to give encouragement and to direct their efforts. A shot from an enemy sniper struck him above the heart but he refused aid for this serious injury, plugging the bleeding wound with his finger until it could be properly dressed. As the enemy strength mounted, he ordered his men to organize a defensive position in and around some abandoned bunkers where he conducted a defense against the increasingly strong enemy attacks. After several hours, a North Vietnamese soldier hurled a hand grenade to within a few feet of 1st Lt. Karopczyc and 2 other wounded men. Although his position protected him, he leaped up to cover the deadly grenade with a steel helmet. It exploded to drive fragments into 1st Lt. Karopczyc's legs, but his action prevented further injury to the 2 wounded men. Severely weakened by his multiple wounds, he continued to direct the actions of his men until he succumbed 2 hours later. 1st Lt. Karopczyc's heroic leadership, unyielding perseverance, and selfless devotion to his men were directly responsible for the successful and spirited action of his platoon throughout the battle and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

First Lieutenant Stephen Edward Karopczyc's Medal of Honor was presented to his family by Secretary of the Army Stanley A. Resor on 9 January 1969.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Stephen Edward Karopczyc's name is inscribed on Panel 16E - Line 69.

Honors

An elementary school in Levittown, NY, was named for Stephen E. Karopczyc. It was opened in the 1970s. The school building still stands today and is located on Farmedge Road.

Death and Burial

First Lieutenant Stephen Edward Karopczyc was killed in action on 12 March 1967. He is buried at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, Suffolk County, NY.