- SURNAME
Melahn
- FORENAME
Joseph L.
- UNIT
505 Parachute Infantry Regiment (HQ Company 2 Bn)
- RANK
Private First Class
- NUMBER
32792510
- DATE OF DEATH
11th February 1945
- AGE
20
- GRAVESITE
Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York. Plot H, 8608
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Queens County,New York
born 07.11.1924 Far Rockaway, Queens County, New York
father Joseph Malta Melahn (1893-1965)
mother Josephine E. (nee Moehringer) Melahn (1895-1973)
1 year college
civil occupation Electrician apprentice
employed by Sullivans Dry Dock Company, 77 23rd Street, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
single without dependents upon enlistment
resided 1312 McBride Street, Far Rockaway, Queens County, New York (draft card)
28.12.1942 draft card Rockaway, Queens County, New York
04.02.1943 entered service New York City, New York
twin brother : George Charles Melahn - See US PARAS AWARDS
award Silver Star
KIA Germany
DATE OF DEATH:
11-Feb-1945AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/melahn-joseph-l.35344/CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Joseph L. Melahn (ASN: 32792510), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 11 February 1945, near ****, German. Private First Class Melahn, Wireman, when the 81-mm. mortar platoon's observation post 300 yards in front of the outpost line of resistance came under particularly fierce enemy artillery fire and its communications lines were blown out, showed disregard for his personal safety. Private First Class Melahn, without waiting for order, exposed himself to the intense artillery and small arms fire and repaired the wires under a hail of bullets in time to complete a fire mission. Before he could regain the cover of the observation post, he was killed by a direct artillery hit. The heroic manner in which Private First Class Melahn willingly made the supreme sacrifice reflects great honor upon himself and on the country for which he gave his life.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/91220FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66424290/joseph-l-melahn
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