St. Clairsville in Belmont County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Sgt. Sylvester Antolak

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 26, 2025

1. Sgt. Sylvester Antolak Marker

Inscription. In honor of
Sgt. Sylvester Antolak
U.S. Army

For action taken near
Cisterna Di Littoria
Italy
May 24, 1944

Resident of Richland Township

Sylvester Antolak
Sergeant U.S. Army Company B
15th Infantry
3rd Infantry Division
Near Cisterna Di Littoria, Italy
May 24, 1944

He charged 200 yards over flat, coverless terrain to destroy an enemy machine gun nest during the second day of the offensive which broke through the German Cordon of Steel around the Anzio Beachhead. Fully 30 yards in advance of his squad, he ran into withering enemy machine gun, machine-pistol and rifle fire. Three times he was struck by bullets and knocked to the ground, but each time he struggled to his feet to continue his relentless advance. With one shoulder deeply cashed and his right arm shattered, he continued to rush directly into the enemy fire concentration with his submachine gun wedged under his uninjured arm until within 15 yards of the enemy strong point, where he opened fire at deadly close range, killing 2 Germans and forcing the remaining 10 to surrender. He reorganized his men and refusing to seek medical attention so badly

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needed, chose to lead the way toward another strong point 100 yards distant, utterly disregarding the hail of bullets concentrated upon him, he had stormed ahead nearly three fourths of the space between strong points when he was instantly killed by hostile enemy fire. Inspired by his example, his squad went on to overwhelm the enemy troops by his supreme sacrifice, superb fighting courage, and heroic devotion to the attack. Sgt. Antolak was directly, responsible for eliminating 20 Germans, capturing an enemy machine gun, and clearing the path for his company to advance.

Erected 2009 by Cole Antolak - Eagle Scout Project - BSA Troop 66.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is May 24, 1944.

Location. 40° 5.058′ N, 80° 52.833′ W. Memorial is in St. Clairsville, Ohio, in Belmont County. It is at the intersection of Walnut Avenue and National Road (U.S. 40), on the right when traveling west on Walnut Avenue. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 200 Walnut Ave, Saint Clairsville OH 43950, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 26, 2025

2. Sgt. Sylvester Antolak Marker

this memorial is in the American Midwest,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: In Honor of Sgt. Sylvester Antolak US Army (here, next to this marker); Benjamin Lundy Champion of Freedom (approx. one mile away); Home of Benjamin Lundy (approx. one mile away); Captain Thomas Drummond (approx. one mile away); Revolutionary War Soldiers Buried in this Cemetery (approx. one mile away); Belmont County Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Medal of Honor Recipients of Belmont County (approx. 1.1 miles away); Belmont County Revolutionary War Veterans (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Clairsville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Milestone Marks where Extension of National Road… (was approx. 1.1

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 26, 2025

3. Sgt. Sylvester Antolak Marker

miles away but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 26, 2025

4. Sgt. Sylvester Antolak Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 190 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 30, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.