Frisco-Kid
16-06-04, 03:15
When I first got out of the service my wife, son, and I settled in Spokane, WA, my wife's hometown. Before that, I hadn't spent much time there. As I settled in and became familiar with the town, I soon noticed the Armory for the Washington State Army National Guard on the northside of town. The name of it was PFC JOE E. MANN Armory. I asked my wife who Joe E. Mann was. Was he from Spokane? What era was he from? She didn't know. As I asked people over time, I found out that he was a Congressional Medal Of Honor recipient from WWII. That was about all that I could learn about Joe and forgot about him for many years. Then less than a year ago, and I don't remember where, I ran across something that mentioned a park in Best, Holland, named after PFC Joe E. Mann. So, I did a GOOGLE search and this is what I found out.
Following is the citation for PFC Mann's MOH. It pretty much tells his story.
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JOE E. MANN
UNITED STATES ARMY
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
Rank and Organization: Private First Class, U.S. army, Company H, 502nd Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.
Place and Date: Best, Holland, 18 September 1944.
Entered Service at: Seattle, Washington
Birth Place: Reardon, Washington
General Order No. 73, 30 August 1945
CITATION: "He distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. On 18SEP44, in the vicinity of Best, Holland, his platoon, attempting to seize the bridge across the Wilhelmina Canal, was surrounded and isolated by an enemy force greatly superior in personnel and firepower. Acting as lead scout, PFC Mann boldly crept to within rocket launcher range of an enemy artillery position and in the face of heavy enemy fire, destroyed an 88mm gun and an ammunition dump. Completely disregarding the great danger involved, he remained in his exposed position, and with his M-1 rifle, killed the enemy one by one until he was wounded four times. Taken to a covered position, he insisted on returning to a forward position to stand guard during the night. On the following morning the enemy launched a concerted attack and advanced to within a few yards of the position, throwing hand grenades as they approached. One of these landed within a few feet of PFC Mann. Unable to raise his hands, which were bandaged to his body, he yelled "grenade" and threw his body over the grenade, and as it exploded, died. His outstanding gallantry above and beyond the call of duty and his magnificent conduct were an everlasting inspiration to his comrades for whom he gave his life".
Following is the citation for PFC Mann's MOH. It pretty much tells his story.
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JOE E. MANN
UNITED STATES ARMY
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
Rank and Organization: Private First Class, U.S. army, Company H, 502nd Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.
Place and Date: Best, Holland, 18 September 1944.
Entered Service at: Seattle, Washington
Birth Place: Reardon, Washington
General Order No. 73, 30 August 1945
CITATION: "He distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. On 18SEP44, in the vicinity of Best, Holland, his platoon, attempting to seize the bridge across the Wilhelmina Canal, was surrounded and isolated by an enemy force greatly superior in personnel and firepower. Acting as lead scout, PFC Mann boldly crept to within rocket launcher range of an enemy artillery position and in the face of heavy enemy fire, destroyed an 88mm gun and an ammunition dump. Completely disregarding the great danger involved, he remained in his exposed position, and with his M-1 rifle, killed the enemy one by one until he was wounded four times. Taken to a covered position, he insisted on returning to a forward position to stand guard during the night. On the following morning the enemy launched a concerted attack and advanced to within a few yards of the position, throwing hand grenades as they approached. One of these landed within a few feet of PFC Mann. Unable to raise his hands, which were bandaged to his body, he yelled "grenade" and threw his body over the grenade, and as it exploded, died. His outstanding gallantry above and beyond the call of duty and his magnificent conduct were an everlasting inspiration to his comrades for whom he gave his life".