World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his father) from the commander of the Baxter Veterans Hospital in Spokane, Washington on August 30, 1945 for his actions as a private first class with Company H, 502nd Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, US Army, on September 18, 1944, at Best, the Netherlands. After graduating from high school, he joined the US Army in August 1942 and following his recruit and combat parachute training, he was sent to the European Theater of Operations. On that day, during Operation Market Garden, he single-handedly destroyed an enemy emplacement and continued to fire on the enemy from an exposed position until being wounded. Despite his wounds, he insisted on serving guard duty during the night. The next morning, during an enemy attack, Mann smothered the blast of a hand grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. He was also awarded a Bronze Star (with 'V' device) and a Purple Heart (with four oak leaf clusters). His Medal of Honor citation reads: "He distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. On 18 September 1944, in the vicinity of Best, Holland, his platoon, attempting to seize the bridge across the Wilhelmina Canal, was surrounded and isolated by an enemy force greatly superior in personnel and firepower. Acting as lead scout, Pfc. Mann boldly crept to within rocket-launcher range of an enemy artillery position and, in the face of heavy enemy fire, destroyed an 88-mm gun and an ammunition dump. Completely disregarding the great danger involved, he remained in his exposed position, and, with his M1 rifle, killed the enemy one by one until he was wounded four times. Taken to a covered position, he insisted on returning to a forward position to stand guard during the night. On the following morning the enemy launched a concerted attack and advanced to within a few yards of the position, throwing hand grenades as they approached. One of these landed within a few feet of Pfc. Mann. Unable to raise his arms, which were bandaged to his body, he yelled "Grenade" and threw his body over the grenade, and as it exploded, died. His outstanding gallantry above and beyond the call of duty and his magnificent conduct were an everlasting inspiration to his comrades for whom he gave his life." The US Army ship USAT Private Joe E. Mann was named in his honor. He is also honored by a memorial at the site of his death in Best, the Netherlands. The 101st Abn Div. at Ft Campbell, Ky has named a Theater in his honor on base. " The Joe Eugene Mann Theater".
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his father) from the commander of the Baxter Veterans Hospital in Spokane, Washington on August 30, 1945 for his actions as a private first class with Company H, 502nd Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, US Army, on September 18, 1944, at Best, the Netherlands. After graduating from high school, he joined the US Army in August 1942 and following his recruit and combat parachute training, he was sent to the European Theater of Operations. On that day, during Operation Market Garden, he single-handedly destroyed an enemy emplacement and continued to fire on the enemy from an exposed position until being wounded. Despite his wounds, he insisted on serving guard duty during the night. The next morning, during an enemy attack, Mann smothered the blast of a hand grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. He was also awarded a Bronze Star (with 'V' device) and a Purple Heart (with four oak leaf clusters). His Medal of Honor citation reads: "He distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. On 18 September 1944, in the vicinity of Best, Holland, his platoon, attempting to seize the bridge across the Wilhelmina Canal, was surrounded and isolated by an enemy force greatly superior in personnel and firepower. Acting as lead scout, Pfc. Mann boldly crept to within rocket-launcher range of an enemy artillery position and, in the face of heavy enemy fire, destroyed an 88-mm gun and an ammunition dump. Completely disregarding the great danger involved, he remained in his exposed position, and, with his M1 rifle, killed the enemy one by one until he was wounded four times. Taken to a covered position, he insisted on returning to a forward position to stand guard during the night. On the following morning the enemy launched a concerted attack and advanced to within a few yards of the position, throwing hand grenades as they approached. One of these landed within a few feet of Pfc. Mann. Unable to raise his arms, which were bandaged to his body, he yelled "Grenade" and threw his body over the grenade, and as it exploded, died. His outstanding gallantry above and beyond the call of duty and his magnificent conduct were an everlasting inspiration to his comrades for whom he gave his life." The US Army ship USAT Private Joe E. Mann was named in his honor. He is also honored by a memorial at the site of his death in Best, the Netherlands. The 101st Abn Div. at Ft Campbell, Ky has named a Theater in his honor on base. " The Joe Eugene Mann Theater".
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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