Medal of Honor: Joe P. Martinez - World War II - May 26, 1943

Name: Joe P. Martinez
Rank: Private
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: Company K, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
Date of Action: May 26, 1943
Location: Attu, Aleutian Islands

Summary of Action

On 26 May 1943, Private Joe P. Martinez displayed extraordinary heroism during the brutal Battle of Attu in the Aleutian Islands.

American forces had spent days attempting to seize a heavily defended Japanese position located high in the snow-covered mountains between East Arm Holtz Bay and Chichagof Harbor.

Repeated assaults had failed against the entrenched enemy defenses.

A reinforced battalion launched another coordinated attack in an effort to break through the Japanese stronghold.

Although the assault initially gained ground, the attack soon stalled under devastating machine-gun, rifle, and mortar fire.

At the critical moment, Martinez, serving as an automatic rifleman, suddenly rose from cover and continued advancing directly into the enemy fire.

As bullets and mortar rounds tore across the mountainside, he repeatedly stopped to encourage the other soldiers to continue climbing with him.

Inspired by his courage, the attack resumed.

After an exhausting climb through deep snow and steep terrain, Martinez attacked enemy positions with his Browning Automatic Rifle and hand grenades, destroying part of the Japanese defensive line and helping clear the way for the advancing Americans.

Ahead still stood the main Holtz-Chichagof Pass, towering another 150 feet above the battlefield.

The narrow approach was choked with snow and completely dominated by enemy fire from trenches and rocky ridgelines.

Knowing the danger, Martinez again led the advance.

Climbing through the exposed defile beneath constant enemy fire, he personally silenced several Japanese trench positions with accurate BAR fire.

Refusing to stop, he fought his way all the way to the crest of the pass itself.

There, just beneath the razor-sharp ridgeline, Martinez encountered a final enemy trench occupied by Japanese defenders.

As he fired directly into the position, he was mortally wounded.

His fearless assault helped secure the pass, a key objective whose capture played a major role in ending organized Japanese resistance on Attu Island.

Medal of Honor Citation

MARTINEZ, JOE P.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. Over a period of several days, repeated efforts to drive the enemy from a key defensive position high in the snow-covered precipitous mountains between East Arm Holtz Bay and Chichagof Harbor had failed. On 26 May 1943, troop dispositions were readjusted and a trial coordinated attack on this position by a reinforced battalion was launched. Initially successful, the attack hesitated. In the face of severe hostile machinegun, rifle, and mortar fire, Pvt. Martinez, an automatic rifleman, rose to his feet and resumed his advance. Occasionally he stopped to urge his comrades on. His example inspired others to follow. After a most difficult climb, Pvt. Martinez eliminated resistance from part of the enemy position by BAR fire and hand grenades, thus assisting the advance of other attacking elements. This success only partially completed the action. The main Holtz-Chichagof Pass rose about 150 feet higher, flanked by steep rocky ridges and reached by a snow-filled defile. Passage was barred by enemy fire from either flank and from tiers of snow trenches in front. Despite these obstacles, and knowing of their existence, Pvt. Martinez again led the troops on and up, personally silencing several trenches with BAR fire and ultimately reaching the pass itself. Here, just below the knifelike rim of the pass, Pvt. Martinez encountered a final enemy-occupied trench and as he was engaged in firing into it he was mortally wounded. The pass, however, was taken, and its capture was an important preliminary to the end of organized hostile resistance on the island.