Myers, Joseph F.
- Date of birth:
- June 19th, 1919 (Alderson/West Verginia, United States)
- Date of death:
- September 30th, 1944 (Near Nijmegen. The Netherlands)
- Mentioned on:
- Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial
- Service number:
- O-1301865
- Nationality:
- American
Biography
Missing in Action and name entered to the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery Margraten, the Netherlands.
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Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 1st Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 3rd Battalion, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
- Awarded on:
- November 11th, 1944
"For extraordinary heroism in action on 30 September 1944, while his company was attacking through the Kiekberg Woods about two and one half miles south of Groesbeek, Holland, personally led his machine gun section which had the assignment of giving supporting fire to the advance of the 1st and 2nd rifle platoons. An enemy pocket of resistance consisting of five men armed with a machine gun, machine pistols, and grenades surprised Lieutenant Myers and five men near him by tossing a grenade at the group. The first grenade missed, a second one was tossed and landed in the midst of Lieutenant Myers' group. Upon seeing the grenade Lieutenant Myers yelled, "Grenade, duck!" Realizing that the entire group might be killed or wounded, he without hesistancy threw himself upon the grenade in an attempt to protect his men. The exploding grenade mortally wounded Lieutenant Myers, but his men escaped injury. This demonstration of willingness to make the supreme sacrifice that others might live to fight for a just cause reflects the highest traditions of the Army of the United States."
Headquarters, XVIII Airborne Corps, General Orders No. 8 (November 11, 1944).
Awarded posthumously.
Ridder vierde klasse der Militaire Willems Orde (MWO.4)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- 1st Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 3rd Battalion, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
- Awarded on:
- October 8th, 1945
- Awarded for:
- Operation Market Garden
Citation:
"For having distinguished himself during the fighting by the 82nd Airborne Division in the area around Nijmegen between September 17th and October 4th 1944 by outstanding deeds of courage, tact and loyalty, having displayed an extraordinary sense of duty and great perseverance and having set a praiseworthy example, an inspiration to all in those illustrious days during which he lost his life."
Royal Decree No.31, dated October 8th, 1945.
Posthumously awarded.
"For having distinguished himself during the fighting by the 82nd Airborne Division in the area around Nijmegen between September 17th and October 4th 1944 by outstanding deeds of courage, tact and loyalty, having displayed an extraordinary sense of duty and great perseverance and having set a praiseworthy example, an inspiration to all in those illustrious days during which he lost his life."
Royal Decree No.31, dated October 8th, 1945.
Posthumously awarded.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
Sources
- - MAALDERINK P.G.H., De Militaire Willemsorde sedert 1940, Sijthof Pers, 1982.
- The Dutch Medals Page
- allamerican82nd.com
- American Battle Monuments Commission
- WW2 Airborne US
- Home of Heroes
- "Brons", Nr 66, 19e Jaargang, uitgave van de Vereniging Dragers Militaire Dapperheidsonderscheidingen 2010
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