*DUTKO, JOHN W.
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Army, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Ponte Rotto, Italy,
23 May 1944. Entered service at: Riverside, N.J. Birth: Dilltown, Pa. G.O.
No.: 80, 5 October 1944.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of
duty, on 23 May 1944, near Ponte Rotto, Italy. Pfc. Dutko left the cover of an abandoned
enemy trench at the height of an artillery concentration in a single-handed attack upon 3
machineguns and an 88mm. mobile gun. Despite the intense fire of these 4 weapons which
were aimed directly at him, Pfc. Dutko ran 10.0 yards through the impact area, paused
momentarily in a shell crater, and then continued his l-man assault. Although machinegun
bullets kicked up the dirt at his heels, and 88mm. shells exploded within 30 yards of him,
Pfc. Dutko nevertheless made his way to a point within 30 yards of the first enemy
machinegun and killed both gunners with a hand grenade. Although the second machinegun
wounded him, knocking him to the ground, Pfc. Dutko regained his feet and advanced on the
88mm. gun, firing his Browning automatic rifle from the hip. When he came within 10 yards
of this weapon he killed its 5-man crew with 1 long burst of fire. Wheeling on the
machinegun which had wounded him, Pfc. Dutko killed the gunner and his assistant. The
third German machinegun fired on Pfc. Dutko from a position 20 yards distant wounding him
a second time as he proceeded toward the enemy weapon in a half run. He killed both
members of its crew with a single burst from his Browning automatic rifle, continued
toward the gun and died, his body falling across the dead German crew.
