Medal of Honor: Jose F. Valdez – World War II – France – January 1945
When withdrawal meant survival for others, he chose to stand alone. Gravely wounded and surrounded, he held the line until the attack collapsed.
January 27, 2026
Name: Jose F. Valdez
Rank: Private First Class
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company B, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division
Place: Near Rosenkrantz, France
Entered Service At: Pleasant Grove, Utah
Born: Governador, New Mexico
Summary of Action
On 25 January 1945, Private First Class Jose F. Valdez was serving on outpost duty with five other soldiers near Rosenkrantz, France, positioned approximately 500 yards forward of American lines. When German forces launched a powerful counterattack, Valdez became the key figure holding the enemy at bay.
From his exposed position near a wooded area, Valdez spotted an enemy tank advancing to within 75 yards. He immediately opened fire with his automatic rifle, driving the tank to withdraw. Moments later, three German soldiers attempted to approach through the woods. Refusing cover, Valdez engaged them at close range under heavy automatic fire and killed all three.
The enemy then launched a massive assault with two full companies of infantry, unleashing intense automatic and rifle fire and beginning an encirclement of the outpost. When the patrol leader ordered a withdrawal, Valdez instantly volunteered to remain behind and cover the movement. As his comrades ran for safety under a storm of bullets, Valdez stood his ground, firing continuously into the advancing enemy.
During this stand, he was struck by a bullet that passed through his abdomen and exited his back. Despite excruciating pain, Valdez regained his position and continued firing until every member of the patrol had escaped. He then called in artillery and mortar fire by field telephone, calmly adjusting the fire until shells were landing within 50 yards of his own position.
For fifteen minutes, Valdez alone resisted more than 200 enemy soldiers. Only after the barrage broke the German attack did he drag himself back toward American lines. He later died from his wounds. By his extraordinary courage and self-sacrifice, Private First Class Valdez saved the lives of his comrades and directly repulsed an attack by vastly superior enemy forces.
Medal of Honor Citation
The enemy quickly launched an attack with 2 full companies of infantrymen, blasting the patrol with murderous concentrations of automatic and rifle fire and beginning an encircling movement which forced the patrol leader to order a withdrawal. Despite the terrible odds, Pfc. Valdez immediately volunteered to cover the maneuver, and as the patrol 1 by 1 plunged through a hail of bullets toward the American lines, he fired burst after burst into the swarming enemy.
Three of his companions were wounded in their dash for safety and he was struck by a bullet that entered his stomach and, passing through his body, emerged from his back. Overcoming agonizing pain, he regained control of himself and resumed his firing position, delivering a protective screen of bullets until all others of the patrol were safe. By field telephone he called for artillery and mortar fire on the Germans and corrected the range until he had shells falling within 50 yards of his position.
For 15 minutes he refused to be dislodged by more than 200 of the enemy; then, seeing that the barrage had broken the counterattack, he dragged himself back to his own lines. He died later as a result of his wounds. Through his valiant, intrepid stand and at the cost of his own life, Pfc. Valdez made it possible for his comrades to escape, and was directly responsible for repulsing an attack by vastly superior enemy forces.
