MOSKALA, EDWARD J. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 383d
Infantry, 96th Infantry Division. Place and date: Kakazu Ridge, Okinawa,
Ryukyu Islands, 9 April 1945. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Birth: 6
November 1921, Chicago, Ill. G.O. No.: 21, 26 February 1946. Citation:
He was the leading element when grenade explosions and concentrated machinegun
and mortar fire halted the unit's attack on Kakazu Ridge, Okinawa, Ryukyu
Islands. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he charged 40 yards
through withering, grazing fire and wiped out 2 machinegun nests with well-aimed
grenades and deadly accurate fire from his automatic rifle. When strong
counterattacks and fierce enemy resistance from other positions forced
his company to withdraw, he voluntarily remained behind with 8 others to
cover the maneuver. Fighting from a critically dangerous position for 3
hours, he killed more than 25 Japanese before following his surviving companions
through screening smoke down the face of the ridge to a gorge where it
was discovered that one of the group had been left behind, wounded. Unhesitatingly,
Pvt. Moskala climbed the bullet-swept slope to assist in the rescue, and,
returning to lower ground, volunteered to protect other wounded while the
bulk of the troops quickly took up more favorable positions. He had saved
another casualty and killed 4 enemy infiltrators when he was struck and
mortally wounded himself while aiding still another disabled soldier. With
gallant initiative, unfaltering courage, and heroic determination to destroy
the enemy, Pvt. Moskala gave his life in his complete devotion to his company's
mission and his comrades' well-being. His intrepid conduct provided a lasting
inspiration for those with whom he served.
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