Joseph J. Sadowski
Encyclopedia
Joseph J. Sadowski was a United States Army
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
—for his actions in World War II
.
, and by September 14, 1944 was serving as a Sergeant in the 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division. On that day, in Valhey
, France
, Sadowski's tank
was disabled by enemy fire. He and his crew dismounted the vehicle, except for one man who was trapped inside the burning tank. Despite intense enemy fire, Sadowski returned to the tank and attempted to rescue the crewman, but was killed before he could do so. For his actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor seven months later, on April 23, 1945.
Sadowski, aged 26 at his death, was buried in Saint Stephens Cemetery, Keasbey, New Jersey
. The Sadowski Field House at Fort Knox
is named in his honor. A monument to Sadowski was erected on the Parkway bearing his name in Perth Amboy by the Society of Polish Combatants (Stowarzyszenie Polskich Kombatantow), Post 40. In 1999, the citizens of Valhey, France, also erected a monument honoring Sgt. Sadowski. In September, 2009, ceremonies were held at the monument recognizing 65 years since Sgt. Sadowski's death. Colonel James Herbert (Jimmie) Leach Company Commander in the 37th Tank Battalion at the time of Sgt. Sadowski's death made remarks.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
—for his actions in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Biography
Sadowski joined the Army from his birth city of Perth Amboy, New JerseyPerth Amboy, New Jersey
Perth Amboy is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. The City of Perth Amboy is part of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 50,814. Perth Amboy is known as the "City by the Bay", referring to Raritan Bay.-Name:The Lenape...
, and by September 14, 1944 was serving as a Sergeant in the 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division. On that day, in Valhey
Valhey
Valhey is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Sadowski's tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
was disabled by enemy fire. He and his crew dismounted the vehicle, except for one man who was trapped inside the burning tank. Despite intense enemy fire, Sadowski returned to the tank and attempted to rescue the crewman, but was killed before he could do so. For his actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor seven months later, on April 23, 1945.
Sadowski, aged 26 at his death, was buried in Saint Stephens Cemetery, Keasbey, New Jersey
Keasbey, New Jersey
Keasbey is a small unincorporated area located within Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. It is located on the western outskirt of Perth Amboy, a city made up, increasingly since the 1960s, of mostly Latinos...
. The Sadowski Field House at Fort Knox
Fort Knox
Fort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
is named in his honor. A monument to Sadowski was erected on the Parkway bearing his name in Perth Amboy by the Society of Polish Combatants (Stowarzyszenie Polskich Kombatantow), Post 40. In 1999, the citizens of Valhey, France, also erected a monument honoring Sgt. Sadowski. In September, 2009, ceremonies were held at the monument recognizing 65 years since Sgt. Sadowski's death. Colonel James Herbert (Jimmie) Leach Company Commander in the 37th Tank Battalion at the time of Sgt. Sadowski's death made remarks.
Medal of Honor citation
Sergeant Sadowski's official Medal of Honor citation reads:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Valhey, France. On the afternoon of 14 September 1944, Sgt. Sadowski as a tank commander was advancing with the leading elements of Combat Command A, 4th Armored Division, through an intensely severe barrage of enemy fire from the streets and buildings of the town of Valhey. As Sgt. Sadowski's tank advanced through the hail of fire, it was struck by a shell from an 88-mm. gun88 mm gunThe 88 mm gun was a German anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun from World War II. It was widely used by Germany throughout the war, and was one of the most recognizable German weapons of the war...
fired at a range of 20 yards. The tank was disabled and burst into flames. The suddenness of the enemy attack caused confusion and hesitation among the crews of the remaining tanks of our forces. Sgt. Sadowski immediately ordered his crew to dismount and take cover in the adjoining buildings. After his crew had dismounted, Sgt. Sadowski discovered that 1 member of the crew, the bow gunner, had been unable to leave the tank. Although the tank was being subjected to a withering hail of enemy small-arms, bazookaBazookaBazooka is the common name for a man-portable recoilless rocket antitank weapon, widely fielded by the U.S. Army. Also referred to as the "Stovepipe", the innovative bazooka was amongst the first-generation of rocket propelled anti-tank weapons used in infantry combat...
, grenade, and mortarMortar (weapon)A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
fire from the streets and from the windows of adjacent buildings, Sgt. Sadowski unhesitatingly returned to his tank and endeavored to pry up the bow gunner's hatch. While engaged in this attempt to rescue his comrade from the burning tank, he was cut down by a stream of machinegun fire which resulted in his death. The gallant and noble sacrifice of his life in the aid of his comrade, undertaken in the face of almost certain death, so inspired the remainder of the tank crews that they pressed forward with great ferocity and completely destroyed the enemy forces in this town without further loss to themselves. The heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sgt. Sadowski, which resulted in his death, inspired the remainder of his force to press forward to victory, and reflect the highest tradition of the armed forces.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II