- SURNAME
Balek
- FORENAME
Joseph John
- UNIT
508 Parachute Infantry Regiment (Company A)
- RANK
Private First Class
- NUMBER
31315811
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
Europe
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
resided Fairfield, Connecticut
born 07.03.1923, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA
2 years high school
30.06.1942 draft card Bridgeport, Connecticut
11.1944 WIA
10.11.1945 discharged
wife Constance M. (nee DePhillips) Balek (1923-2001)
28.02.1978 died
Saint Michael's Cemetery, Stratford, Connecticut, USA.
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Joseph J. Balek (ASN: 31315811), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 24 December 1944, near ****, Belgium. Private First Class Balek was part of an assault group which volunteered to cross a vital bridge to prevent the enemy from seizing it before a demolition charge could be prepared. The group succeeded in holding the enemy, then withdrew to our side of the river. Private First Class Balek noted that two of his comrades had been wounded and were still on the other side of the bridge. Unhesitatingly, he re-crossed to aid them and successfully covered their retreat. Before he could cross himself, the bridge was destroyed. Private First Class Balek ran through a hail of small arms fire, jumped into the river and swam across. Then he took up a position in a nearby house and resumed firing, killing several Germans, where he remained until reached by a counter-attack launched by his platoon. His complete disregard for personal safety to help his wounded comrades was gallantry which reflects great credit upon himself and upon the Airborne Forces of the United States.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/90233FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/132890847/joseph-j-balek
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