SPECKER, JOE C. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 48th Engineer Combat Battalion.
Place and date: At Mount Porchia, Italy, 7 January 1944.
Entered service at:
Odessa, Mo. Birth: Odessa, Mo. G.O. No.. 56, 12 July 1944. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life, above and beyond
the call of duty, in action involving actual conflict. On the night of
7 January 1944, Sgt. Specker, with his company, was advancing up the slope
of Mount Porchia, Italy. He was sent forward on reconnaissance and on his
return he reported to his company commander the fact that there was an
enemy machinegun nest and several well-placed snipers directly in the path
and awaiting the company. Sgt. Specker requested and was granted permission
to place 1 of his machineguns in a position near the enemy machinegun.
Voluntarily and alone he made his way up the mountain with a machinegun
and a box of ammunition. He was observed by the enemy as he walked along
and was severely wounded by the deadly fire directed at him. Though so
seriously wounded that he was unable to walk, he continued to drag himself
over the jagged edges of rock and rough terrain until he reached the position
at which he desired to set up his machinegun. He set up the gun so well
and fired so accurately that the enemy machine-gun nest was silenced and
the remainder of the snipers forced to retire, enabling his platoon to
obtain their objective. Sgt. Specker was found dead at his gun. His personal
bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination were an inspiration to his officers
and fellow soldiers.
Browse Records by Era / War / Subject |
