Medal of Honor: Joe R. Hastings – World War II – April 12, 1945

Name: Joe R. Hastings
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: Company C, 386th Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division
Date of Action: April 12, 1945
Location: Drabenderhohe, Germany

Summary of Action

On 12 April 1945, Private First Class Joe R. Hastings distinguished himself during an attack on strong German positions defending Drabenderhohe, Germany.

Enemy forces occupied dug-in positions on commanding ground and poured rifle, machine-gun, 20mm, and mortar fire onto advancing American troops.

Serving as squad leader of a light machine-gun section supporting the 1st and 3d Platoons, Hastings moved into the storm of fire.

Braving rounds that missed him by inches, he rushed more than 350 yards across open rolling fields to reach a firing position.

From there, he opened devastating fire.

He killed the crews of a 20mm gun and a machine-gun emplacement, drove enemy riflemen from cover, and shielded the 1st Platoon long enough for it to reorganize and evacuate wounded men.

Seeing that the 3d Platoon on his right was under severe 40mm and machine-gun fire, Hastings seized his gun and ran another 150 yards to assist them.

Reaching the leading elements, he killed the crew of the 40mm gun.

Then, taking position at the spearhead of the assault, he advanced with his machine gun firing from the hip.

Ignoring bullets whipping past him, he led the charge 175 yards to the objective.

During this furious advance, he and the riflemen following him killed or wounded many determined defenders and knocked out two more machine guns.

His fearless leadership and relentless aggression broke the enemy defense and opened the way for Company C to enter Drabenderhohe.

Four days later, while again supporting the 3d Platoon, he was killed in action.

His valor reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

HASTINGS, JOE R.

He fought gallantly during an attack against strong enemy forces defending Drabenderhohe, Germany, from the dug-in positions on commanding ground. As squad leader of a light machinegun section supporting the advance of the 1st and 3d Platoons, he braved direct rifle, machinegun, 20mm., and mortar fire, some of which repeatedly missed him only by inches, and rushed forward over 350 yards of open, rolling fields to reach a position from which he could fire on the enemy troops. From this vantage point he killed the crews of a 20mm. gun and a machinegun, drove several enemy riflemen from their positions, and so successfully shielded the 1st Platoon, that it had time to reorganize and remove its wounded to safety. Observing that the 3d Platoon to his right was being met by very heavy 40mm. and machinegun fire, he ran 150 yards with his gun to the leading elements of that unit, where he killed the crew of the 40mm. gun. As spearhead of the 3d Platoon’s attack, he advanced, firing his gun held at hip height, disregarding the bullets that whipped past him, until the assault had carried 175 yards to the objective. In this charge he and the riflemen he led killed or wounded many of the fanatical enemy and put 2 machineguns out of action. Pfc. Hastings, by his intrepidity, outstanding leadership, and unrelenting determination to wipe out the formidable German opposition, cleared the path for his company’s advance into Drabenderhohe. He was killed 4 days later while again supporting the 3d Platoon.