John J. Pinder, Jr.

Infobox Military Person
name=John J. Pinder, Jr.
born= birth date|1912|6|6
died= death date and age|1944|6|6|1912|6|6
placeofbirth=McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
placeofdeath=near Colleville-sur-Mer, France
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank=Technician Fifth Grade
commands=
unit=16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
battles=World War II * Battle of Normandy
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

John J. Pinder, Jr., (June 6, 1912 – June 6, 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 during the Battle of Normandy.

Biography

Pinder joined the Army from Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, and by June 6, 1944 was serving as a technician fifth grade in the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. On that day, he participated in the Allied landings near Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Despite being twice wounded, Pinder refused medical attention and continued to gather communications equipment in order to establish a radio link on the beach before receiving a third and fatal wound. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor seven months later, on January 4, 1945.

Pinder, killed on his 32nd birthday, was buried in Grandview Cemetery, Florence, Pennsylvania. The U.S. Army barracks in Zirndorf, Germany, are named Pinder Barracks in his honor. Although these barracks in the years to 1999 was abandoned, remained the name Pinder as decision of the city administration the name of the newly formed city-district "Pinder Park".

Medal of Honor citation

Technician Pinder's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, near Colleville-sur-Mer, France. On D-day, Technician 5th Grade Pinder landed on the coast 100 yards off shore under devastating enemy machinegun and artillery fire which caused severe casualties among the boatload. Carrying a vitally important radio, he struggled towards shore in waist-deep water. Only a few yards from his craft he was hit by enemy fire and was gravely wounded. Technician 5th Grade Pinder never stopped. He made shore and delivered the radio. Refusing to take cover afforded, or to accept medical attention for his wounds, Technician 5th Grade Pinder, though terribly weakened by loss of blood and in fierce pain, on 3 occasions went into the fire-swept surf to salvage communication equipment. He recovered many vital parts and equipment, including another workable radio. On the 3rd trip he was again hit, suffering machinegun bullet wounds in the legs. Still this valiant soldier would not stop for rest or medical attention. Remaining exposed to heavy enemy fire, growing steadily weaker, he aided in establishing the vital radio communication on the beach. While so engaged this dauntless soldier was hit for the third time and killed. The indomitable courage and personal bravery of Technician 5th Grade Pinder was a magnificent inspiration to the men with whom he served.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II

References

*findagrave|7236472 Retrieved on 2007-11-12

*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 = 2007-11-12

Persondata
NAME= Pinder, John J., Jr.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=