"He was the leading element when grenade explosions and concentrated machine gun and mortar fire halted the unit's attack on Kakazu Ridge, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he charged 40 yards
through withering, grazing fire and wiped out 2 machine gun nests with
well-aimed grenades and deadly accurate fire from his automatic rifle. When strong counterattacks and fierce enemy resistance from other
positions forced his company to withdraw, he voluntarily remained behind
with 8 others to cover the maneuver. Fighting from a critically
dangerous position for 3 hours, he killed more than 25 Japanese before
following his surviving companions through screening smoke
down the face of the ridge to a gorge where it was discovered that one
of the group had been left behind, wounded. Unhesitatingly, Pvt. Moskala
climbed the bullet-swept slope to assist in the rescue, and, returning
to lower ground, volunteered to protect other wounded while the bulk of
the troops quickly took up more favorable positions. He had saved
another casualty and killed 4 enemy infiltrators when he was struck and
mortally wounded himself while aiding still another disabled soldier. With gallant initiative, unfaltering courage, and heroic determination
to destroy the enemy, Pvt. Moskala gave his life in his complete
devotion to his company's mission and his comrades' well-being. His
intrepid conduct provided a lasting inspiration for those with whom he
served."
From Pvt. Moskala's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on February 26, 1946.
May you be at peace,
Brian
No comments:
Post a Comment