Joe C. Specker

Infobox Military Person
name=Joe C. Specker
born= birth date|1921|1|10
died= death date and age|1944|1|7|1921|1|10
placeofbirth=Odessa, Missouri
placeofdeath=Mount Porchia, Italy
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank=Sergeant
commands=
unit=48th Engineer Combat Battalion
battles=World War II
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Joe C. Specker (January 10, 1921 – January 7, 1944) 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.

Specker joined the Army from his birth city of Odessa, Missouri, and by January 7, 1944 was serving as a Sergeant in the 48th Engineer Combat Battalion. On that day, at Mount Porchia, Italy, he voluntarily went forward alone to destroy an enemy machinegun emplacement. Although severely wounded during his advance, he continued on and successfully routed the enemy force before succombing to his wounds. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor six months later, on July 12, 1944.

Specker, aged 22 at his death, was buried at Odessa Cemetery in his hometown of Odessa, Missouri.

Medal of Honor citation

Sergeant Specker's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in action involving actual conflict. On the night of 7 January 1944, Sgt. Specker, with his company, was advancing up the slope of Mount Porchia, Italy. He was sent forward on reconnaissance and on his return he reported to his company commander the fact that there was an enemy machinegun nest and several well-placed snipers directly in the path and awaiting the company. Sgt. Specker requested and was granted permission to place 1 of his machineguns in a position near the enemy machinegun. Voluntarily and alone he made his way up the mountain with a machinegun and a box of ammunition. He was observed by the enemy as he walked along and was severely wounded by the deadly fire directed at him. Though so seriously wounded that he was unable to walk, he continued to drag himself over the jagged edges of rock and rough terrain until he reached the position at which he desired to set up his machinegun. He set up the gun so well and fired so accurately that the enemy machine-gun nest was silenced and the remainder of the snipers forced to retire, enabling his platoon to obtain their objective. Sgt. Specker was found dead at his gun. His personal bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination were an inspiration to his officers and fellow soldiers.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients

References

*findagrave|6403200 Retrieved on 2007-11-01

*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Medal of Honor Recipients - World War II (M-S)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = July 16, 2007
url = http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/wwII-m-s.html
accessdate = 2007-11-01

Persondata
NAME= Specker, Joe C.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=