Clarence J. Miculka
Corporal, U.S. Army

On 24 April 1945, Corporal Clarence J. Miculka was serving with Battery C, 441st Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion, Seventh U.S. Army.

On that day, CPL Miculka’s unit was in action against German forces near Dillingen, Germany. When CPL Miculka’s Battery was engaged in defending the only Allied-controlled bridge over the Danube River, he braved a strafing attack by 2 German Messerschmitt fighter planes. The 20-mm gun of one of the attacking planes severed CPL Miculka’s right leg and shattered his arm, a fatal wound. Despite this, CPL Miculka continued to engage the German aircraft with his 37-mm cannon. Although CPL Miculka was bleeding to death and his vehicle was riddled in 12 places by German fire, he continued fighting to damage and destroy the enemy. CPL Miculka died a few minutes after accomplishing that courageous, self-assigned mission. CPL Miculka’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 4 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Clarence J. Miculka (ASN: 38162957), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Battery C, 441st Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion, in action against enemy forces on 24 April 1945, near Dillingen, Germany. When his Battery was engaged in defending the only Allied-controlled bridge over the Danube River, Corporal Miculka braved a strafing attack by two Messerschmitts. Although he received a fatal wound from the 20-mm. gun of an attacking plane, which severed his right leg and shattered his arm, he continued to engage the hostile aircraft with his 37-mm. cannon. Bleeding to death and with his vehicle riddled in twelve placed by German fire, he fought on to damage and destroy the enemy. He died a few minutes after accomplishing his courageous, self-assigned mission. Corporal Miculka's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 585 (October 6, 1945)

Burial

Corporal Clarence J. Miculka is buried at Forest Park Cemetery in Houston, Harris County, TX.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53190133/clarence-j-miculka