Medal of Honor: Joe E. Mann, World War II, September 18, 1944

Name: Joe E. Mann
Rank: Private First Class
War: World War II
Date of Action: September 18, 1944
Unit: Company H, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Place: Best, Holland
Born: Rearden, Washington

Summary of Action

On September 18, 1944, during Operation Market Garden, the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment fought to seize and hold a vital bridge across the Wilhelmina Canal near Best, Holland. Pfc. Joe E. Mann, acting as the lead scout, displayed unshakable courage in the face of overwhelming enemy fire. Crawling forward under intense fire, he destroyed an 88mm artillery gun and an ammunition dump with his rocket launcher, striking a crippling blow against German defenses.

Remaining exposed, he fought on with his rifle, firing until he was struck by enemy rounds—not once, but four separate times. Though gravely wounded and ordered back, he refused evacuation, instead returning to a forward position to stand guard through the night, determined to continue the fight at the side of his comrades.

At dawn the next morning, the enemy launched a savage counterattack, advancing close and hurling grenades. One grenade landed near Mann’s position. His arms were bandaged to his body, but he shouted “Grenade!” and threw himself onto it, absorbing the explosion with his own body. His sacrifice saved the lives of the men around him, a final act of devotion and courage that forever marked him as one of the heroes of the 101st Airborne.

Official Medal of Honor Citation

He distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. On 18 September 1944, in the vicinity of Best, Holland, his platoon, attempting to seize the bridge across the Wilhelmina Canal, was surrounded and isolated by an enemy force greatly superior in personnel and firepower. Acting as lead scout, Pfc. Mann boldly crept to within rocket-launcher range of an enemy artillery position and, in the face of heavy enemy fire, destroyed an 88mm. gun and an ammunition dump. Completely disregarding the great danger involved, he remained in his exposed position, and, with his M-1 rifle, killed the enemy one by one until he was wounded 4 times. Taken to a covered position, he insisted on returning to a forward position to stand guard during the night. On the following morning the enemy launched a concerted attack and advanced to within a few yards of the position, throwing hand grenades as they approached. One of these landed within a few feet of Pfc. Mann. Unable to raise his arms, which were bandaged to his body, he yelled “grenade” and threw his body over the grenade, and as it exploded, died. His outstanding gallantry above and beyond the call of duty and his magnificent conduct were an everlasting inspiration to his comrades for whom he gave his life.