SADOWSKI, JOSEPH J. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th
Armored Division. Place and date: Valhey, France, 14 September 1944.
Entered service at:
Perth Amboy, N.J. Birth: Perth Amboy, N.J. C o. No.: 32, 23
April 1945. Citation: 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. gun 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, bazooka, grenade, and
mortar 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.
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