The Medal of Honor
 
   

Edward Moskala, Deadeye

   
 
Moskala
 
 

Private First Class Edward J. Moskala was born in Chicago, Illinois and was a member of Co C 383rd Infantry Regiment. He earned his Medal of Honor on Okinawa at Kakazu Ridge on April 9th, 1945

 
 
Citation
 
 


Edward J Moskala was the leading element when grenade explosions and concentrated machine gun and mortar fire halted the unit's attack on Kakazu Ridge, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he charged forty yards through withering, grazing fire and wiped out two machine gun 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 three hours, he killed more than twenty-five 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 four 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.

   
         
   

Video from YouTube Honoring Medal of Honor recipient Edward Moskala

   
 
 
         
 
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