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.