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Mann, Joe Eugene

Date of birth:
July 8th, 1922 (Reardon/Washington, United States)
Date of death:
September 18th, 1944 (Best, the Netherlands)
Buried on:
American War Graves Greenwood Memorial Terrace
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Private 1st Class
Unit:
Company H, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles", U.S. Army
Awarded on:
August 30th, 1945
Awarded for:
Operation Market Garden
"He distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. On 18 September 1944, in the vicinity of Best., Holland, his platoon, attempting to seize the bridge across the Wilhelmina Canal, was surrounded and isolated by an enemy force greatly superior in personnel and firepower. Acting as lead scout, Pfc. Mann boldly crept to within rocket-launcher range of an enemy artillery position and, in the face of heavy enemy fire, destroyed an 88mm. gun and an ammunition dump. Completely disregarding the great danger involved, he remained in his exposed position, and, with his M-1 rifle, killed the enemy one by one until he was wounded 4 times. Taken to a covered position, he insisted on returning to a forward position to stand guard during the night. On the following morning the enemy launched a concerted attack and advanced to within a few yards of the position, throwing hand grenades as they approached. One of these landed within a few feet of Pfc. Mann. Unable to raise his arms, which were bandaged to his body, he yelled "grenade" and threw his body over the grenade, and as it exploded, died. His outstanding gallantry above and beyond the call of duty and his magnificent conduct were an everlasting inspiration to his comrades for whom he gave his life."

Awarded posthumously
Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With 2 Battle Stars
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With Silver star.
Croix de Guerre (1939-1945)

Sources

  • Photo: Kees Jan Koster, The Netherlands
  • - Jordan, Kenneth N., Yesterday’s Heroes, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., USA, 1996
    - Bando, M., 101st Airborne: The Screaming Eagles in World War II, Zenith Press, St. Paul/Minnesota, USA, 2007
    - ww2-airborne.us
    - Reardan Memorial Library