The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*SPECKER, JOE C.
Rank and Organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 48th Engineer Combat Battalion. Place
and Date At Mount Porchia, Italy, 7 January 1944. Entered Service at: Odessa,
Mo. Birth: Odessa, Mo. G.O. No.:. 56, 12 July 1944.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life, above and beyond the call of
duty, in action involving actual conflict. On the night of 7 January 1944, Sgt. Specker,
with his company, was advancing up the slope of Mount Porchia, Italy. He was sent forward
on reconnaissance and on his return he reported to his company commander the fact that
there was an enemy machinegun nest and several well-placed snipers directly in the path
and awaiting the company. Sgt. Specker requested and was granted permission to place 1 of
his machineguns in a position near the enemy machinegun. Voluntarily and alone he made his
way up the mountain with a machinegun and a box of ammunition. He was observed by the
enemy as he walked along and was severely wounded by the deadly fire directed at him.
Though so seriously wounded that he was unable to walk, he continued to drag himself over
the jagged edges of rock and rough terrain until he reached the position at which he
desired to set up his machinegun. He set up the gun so well and fired so accurately that
the enemy machine-gun nest was silenced and the remainder of the snipers forced to retire,
enabling his platoon to obtain their objective. Sgt. Specker was found dead at his gun.
His personal bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination were an inspiration to his
officers and fellow soldiers.
|
