Medal of Honor: Manuel V. Mendoza, World War II, October 4, 1944

Name: Manuel V. Mendoza
Rank: Staff Sergeant
War: World War II
Date of Action: October 4, 1944
Unit: Company B, 250th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division
Born: June 15, 1922, Miami, Arizona
Entered Service At: Phoenix, Arizona
Date of Medal Issue: March 18, 2014 (posthumous upgrade from Distinguished Service Cross)

Summary of Action
At Mount Battaglia, Italy, Staff Sergeant Manuel Mendoza’s company was under fierce German counterattack. Manning a forward position, Mendoza fought back with his rifle until it jammed, then switched to grenades, hurling them into advancing waves of enemy troops. When those ran out, he picked up a submachine gun and continued to fire until the attack broke. Wounded and outnumbered, he moved through shellfire to gather weapons and ammunition from fallen soldiers, returning again and again to the fight. By the time the smoke cleared, Mendoza had singlehandedly shattered the assault—killing over 30 enemy soldiers and forcing the rest into retreat. His courage on that ridge saved his platoon from being overrun and earned him the nickname “The Arizona Kid.”

Medal of Honor Citation
MENDOZA, MANUEL V.
Rank and Organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 250th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division. Place and Date: October 4, 1944, Mt. Battaglia, Italy. Born: 15 June 1922, Miami, Arizona. Entered Service At: Phoenix, Arizona. Accredited To: Arizona. Date of Issue: 18 March 2014 (posthumous). Citation: Then-Staff Sgt. Manuel Mendoza is recognized for his actions on 4 October 1944, at Mt. Battaglia, Italy, where he is credited with single-handedly breaking up a German counterattack. Under intense enemy fire and despite his wounds, Staff Sgt. Mendoza’s determination and valor turned the tide of the battle, saving his company and helping secure the mountain. His extraordinary heroism and selfless devotion to duty reflect the highest traditions of military service.