Joseph R. Sarnoski
Rank and organizations: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 43rd Bomber Group, Place and date: Over Baku Area, Solomon Islands, 16 June 1943. Entered service at: Simpson, Pa. Born 30 January 1915, Simpson, Pa. G.O. No: 85, 17 December 1943. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. On 16 June 1943, 2d Lt. Sarnoski volunteered as bombardier of a crew on an important photographic mapping mission covering the heavily defended Buka area, Solomon Islands. When the mission was nearly completed, about 20 enemy fighters intercepted. At the [nose] guns, 2d Lt. Sarnoski fought off the first attackers, making it possible for the pilot to finish the plotted course. When a coordinated frontal attack by the enemy extensively damaged his bomber, and seriously injured 5 of the crew, 2d Lt. Sarnoski, though wounded, continued firing and shot down 2 enemy planes. A 20-millimeter shell which burst in the nose of the bomber knocked him into the catwalk under the cockpit. With [sic] indomitable fighting spirit, he crawled back to his post and kept on firing until he collapsed on his guns. 2d Lt. Sarnoski by resolute defense of his aircraft at the price of his life, made possible the completion of a vitally important mission.
Merli-Sarnoski
this page online
Is Named
After
Medal of Honor
Recipients
Gino J. Merli
and
Joseph R. Sarnoski
Dedicated May 2014
Erected 2014 by Lackawanna County.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is June 16, 1943.
Location. 41° 35.517′ N, 75° 32.401′ W. Marker is near Carbondale, Pennsylvania, in Lackawanna County. It is in Greenfield Township. Marker is in Merli-Sarnoski Park, next to the flag poles near the park office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 286 Sandy Banks Road, Carbondale PA 18407, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gino J. Merli (here, next to this marker); Carbondale (approx. 1˝ miles away); a different marker also named Gino J. Merli (approx. 1.7 miles away); America's First Underground Anthracite Mine (approx. 2.3 miles away); The First Underground Anthracite Mine (approx. 2.3 miles away); Site of the First Deep Underground Anthracite Mine in America (approx. 2.3 miles away); Delaware & Hudson Passenger Station (approx. 2.3 miles away); a different marker also named Carbondale (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carbondale.
Related markers.
Also see . . .
1. Joseph R. Sarnoski Medal of Honor Citation. (Submitted on May 13, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Joseph Sarnoski Bio at Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 13, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 13, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
