Koss, Joseph M.

Date of birth:: March 6th, 1920 (McKeesport-Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, US)
Date of death:: September 28th, 1944 (near Wercheren/Province of Gelderland, the Netherlands)
Service number:: 13056883
Nationality:: American

Biography

Joseph Michael Koss was born on the 6th of March 1920 in McKeesport-Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States of America. In 1939 he graduated from the local High School (see picture from his year book). He became employee at the local steel company called the National Tube. In Fall of 1941 he joined the Army. When exactly he joined the paratroopers and especially the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division ‘All American’ is currently unknown, however, in September 1944 he definitely served in Company F of the 2nd Battalion 504th. During operation Market Garden he had the rank of Private first class (Pfc). On 28th September 1944, when units of the 82nd Airborne Division were defending the eastern flank of Nijmegen, Pfc Joseph M. Koss died in battle near Wercheren. During a German mechanized attack (infantry and tanks) on the defensive positions of Company F, he was an assistant squad leader and directed the movement of his squad’s light machine gun to an exposed position with a better field of fire against the approaching enemy infantry. After about one and a half belt of ammunition was effectively fired, Pfc Koss and his gunner were both wounded by tank fire. While his gunner was getting his machine gun back in order, Pfc Koss suppressed the enemy with his Thompson submachine gun and kept on fighting for another 15 minutes. Then he was mortally wounded by another tank shell. Posthumously he was rewarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism. He was also rewarded a Purple Heart posthumously.

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Purple Heart

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Private 1st Class
Unit:: F-Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division
Awarded for:: Operation Market Garden

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Private 1st Class
Unit:: Company F, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Citation:
Joseph M. Koss, 13056883, Private First Class, Infantry, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy on 28 September 1944 in the vicinity of Wercheren, Holland. During a fierce enemy attack supported by tanks against his company's defensive positions, Private First Class Koss, acting as an assistant rifle squad leader, directed the movement of his squad's light machine gun from its position of cover to an exposed position affording a better field of fire against the onrushing infantry. After an approximate belt and a half of ammunition had been fired with effective results, an enemy tank not less than 100 yards distant shelled the position with point blank fire, and with the third round wounded both Private First Class Koss and his gunner and put the gun temporarily out of action. Although painfully wounded, Private First Class Koss fired upon the enemy with his Thompson submachine gun with telling effects while his gunner corrected the stoppage. Despite the continued point blank fire from the tank Private First Class Koss continued to fire for at least 15 minutes after being wounded until he fell mortally wounded from one of the tank shells. His utter fearlessness and unselfish conduct in the face of overwhelming odds and certain death so inspired all his comrades that a superior enemy force was driven from the battlefield with heavy losses. His extraordinary heroism and tenacity at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army. Entered military service from McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

Awarded posthumously.

Koss, Joseph M.

Biography

Purple Heart

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

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