Medal of Honor to 24 Army veterans: WWII hero Private Joe Gandara

March 17, 2014
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Posted in Medal of Honor Recipients Pvt. Joe Gandara
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Pvt. Joe Gandara

Pvt. Joe Gandara, was born in Santa Monica and served with Company D, 2nd Battalion in
the 507th Parachute Infantry regiment of the 82nd Airborne during the
Allied invasion of France. His unit was fighting in Amfreville France
on June 9, 1944, when it “came under devastating enemy fire from a
strong German force,” according to the award citation. Gandara, who was
19, “advanced voluntarily and alone toward the enemy position and
destroyed three hostile machine guns before he was fatally wounded.”

Private Joe Gandara will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for his
courageous actions 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 June 9,
1944.

Citation:
(this award will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor on Mar. 18, 2014)

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the
Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Joe Gandara (39561681),
Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with
military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company
D, 2d Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne
Division, in action against enemy forces on 9 June 1944, in France.
When his 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 advanced voluntarily and alone toward the enemy
position. Firing his machine gun from a carrying position as he moved
forward, he destroyed three hostile machine guns before he was fatally
wounded. By his selfless devotion to duty and outstanding valor,
Private Gandara prevented heavy casualties to members of the
detachment. His intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous
devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest
traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect
great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United
States Army.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Gandara received the Distinguished
Service Cross (this award will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor on Mar.
18), Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal,
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service
Star and Bronze Arrowhead Device, Presidential Unit Citation, French
Fourragere, Combat Infantryman Badge and Parachutist Badge-Basic with
one Bronze Service Star.

World War II
Private Pedro Cano
Private Joe Gandara
Staff Sergeant Salvador J. Lara
Sergeant William F. Leonard
Master Sergeant Manuel V. Mendoza
Sergeant Alfred B. Nietzel
First Lieutenant Donald K. Schwab

Korean War
Corporal Joe R. Baldonado
Sergeant Victor H. Espinoza
Sergeant First Class Eduardo Corral Gomez
Private First Class Leonard M. Kravitz
Master Sergeant Juan E. Negron
Master Sergeant Mike C. Pena
Private First Class Demensio Rivera
Private Miguel A. Vera
Sergeant Jack Weinstein