b. 25/04/1924 Santa Monica, California. d. 09/06/1944 Amfreville, France.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 09/06/1944 Amfreville, France.
Joe Gandara MOH
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Private in the U.S. Army in the 17th Airborne Division.
He was killed in action during the D-Day Invasion at Amfreville, France. His Medal of Honor citation reads: “Private Joe Gandara distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty 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. On that day, Private Gandara’s 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 voluntarily advanced alone toward the enemy position. Firing his machine gun from his hip as he moved forward, he destroyed three hostile machine guns before he was fatally wounded. Private Gandara’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.”
He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously on March 18, 2014, by President Barack Obama at the White House. His niece, Miriam Theresa Adams, was presented the Medal on behalf of her uncle. The award came through the Defense Authorization Act which called for a review of Jewish American and Hispanic American veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to ensure that no prejudice was shown to those deserving the Medal of Honor.
MOH CITATION:
Gandara was bestowed the Medal of Honor to recognize his heroic actions on June 9, 1944, in Amfreville, France. His detachment came under devastating enemy fire from a strong German force, pinning the men to the ground for a period of four hours. Gandara advanced voluntarily and alone toward the enemy position and destroyed three hostile machine-guns before he was fatally wounded.
BURIAL LOCATION: WOODLAWN CEMETERY, SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA.
BLOCK 7, LOT 34, SPACE A
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
