The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes Pride in presenting the
Medal of Honor
(Posthumously)
to
*GANDARA, JOE
Rank and organization:
Private, U.S. Army, Company D, 2d Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry
Regiment, 82d Airborne Division. Place and date: Amfreville, France, 9 June
1944. Entered service at: Los Angeles, California. Born:
25 April 1924, Santa Monica, California..
Citation:
For acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division during combat operations against an armed enemy in Amfreville, France on 9 June 1944. On that day, Private Gandara’s detachment came under devastating enemy fire from a strong German force, pinning the men to the ground for a period of four hours. Private Gandara voluntarily advanced alone toward the enemy position. Firing his machinegun from his hip as he moved forward, he destroyed three hostile machineguns before he was fatally wounded. Private Gandara’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
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