Medal of Honor: Joseph J. Sadowski World War II September 14, 1944

Joseph J. Sadowski
World War II
September 14, 1944 – Valhey, France

In the brutal street fighting of Valhey, France, Sergeant Joseph J. Sadowski commanded a tank at the very tip of Combat Command A, 4th Armored Division, as they pushed into the German-occupied town. His vehicle spearheaded the advance through a storm of enemy fire, only to be struck head-on by an 88mm shell fired at near point-blank range. The blast disabled the tank, ignited flames, and threatened to trap its crew inside.

Sadowski immediately ordered his men to dismount and seek cover. Most scrambled to safety—but the bow gunner was unable to escape. Faced with the horrific sight of his tank engulfed in fire and under withering small-arms, bazooka, grenade, and mortar fire, Sadowski made his decision. Without hesitation, he turned back toward the inferno. Exposing himself to German machine-guns raking the streets, he climbed onto the burning vehicle and tried desperately to pry open the bow gunner’s hatch.

In that final act of loyalty and courage, Sergeant Sadowski was cut down by enemy fire. He fell not while attacking or defending—but while refusing to abandon a comrade. His sacrifice electrified the men around him. Inspired by his example, the other tank crews pressed forward with ferocity, crushing the German defenders and seizing the town without further loss.

Sadowski’s selflessness was more than gallantry; it was a living example of the soldier’s creed—that no man be left behind. His name and sacrifice live on in the honored roll of the 4th Armored Division, a hero who gave his life in the attempt to save another.

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Valhey, France. On the afternoon of 14 September 1944, Sgt. Sadowski as a tank commander was advancing with the leading elements of Combat Command A, 4th Armored Division, through an intensely severe barrage of enemy fire from the streets and buildings of the town of Valhey. As Sgt. Sadowski’s tank advanced through the hail of fire, it was struck by a shell from an 88-mm. gun fired at a range of 20 yards. The tank was disabled and burst into flames. The suddenness of the enemy attack caused confusion and hesitation among the crews of the remaining tanks of our forces. Sgt. Sadowski immediately ordered his crew to dismount and take cover in the adjoining buildings. After his crew had dismounted, Sgt. Sadowski discovered that 1 member of the crew, the bow gunner, had been unable to leave the tank. Although the tank was being subjected to a withering hail of enemy small-arms, bazooka, grenade, and mortar fire from the streets and from the windows of adjacent buildings, Sgt. Sadowski unhesitatingly returned to his tank and endeavored to pry up the bow gunner’s hatch. While engaged in this attempt to rescue his comrade from the burning tank, he was cut down by a stream of machinegun fire which resulted in his death. The gallant and noble sacrifice of his life in the aid of his comrade, undertaken in the face of almost certain death, so inspired the remainder of the tank crews that they pressed forward with great ferocity and completely destroyed the enemy forces in this town without further loss to themselves. The heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sgt. Sadowski, which resulted in his death, inspired the remainder of his force to press forward to victory, and reflect the highest tradition of the armed forces.