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Photographer: Don Morfe
Taken: September 6, 2000
Caption: Edward J. Moskala World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Additional Description: He is buried in Rock Island National Cemetery, Section E, Site 293. He was Killed in Action. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *MOSKALA, EDWARD J. • Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 383d Infantry, 96th Infantry Division • Place and date: Kakazu Ridge, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 9 April 1945 • Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. • G.O. No.: 21, 26 February 1946 Citation: He was the leading element when grenade explosions and concentrated machinegun 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 machinegun 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
Submitted: March 19, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland.
Database Locator Identification Number: p347126
File Size: 0.052 Megabytes

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