Joseph served as a Private First Class, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army during World War II.

He resided in Wayne County, Michigan prior to the war.

Joseph was "Killed In Action" in France during the war.

He was awarded the "Distinguished Service Cross" and the Purple Heart with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Service # 16105122

Son of Maurice I. Bale who resided in Michigan during the war.

(Bio by: Russ Pickett)

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Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Joseph L. Bale (ASN: 16105122), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 30 January 1945 near Wihr-en-Plaine, France. On that date Private Bale's battalion was attacked and halted by enemy tanks, which rolled over the assault riflemen and killed others. With 88-mm. machine gun fire and rifle grenade fire, Private First Class Bale fearlessly attacked with his rocket launcher, ignoring shells exploding five yards away and machine gun bullets which raked the position, he knocked out an enemy tank, forcing the Germans to withdraw. Later the same morning when his Battalion Operations was attacked by another tank at 100 yards, he braved shell fire in a single-handed attempt to destroy it, but was mortally wounded. Private First Class Bale's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 185 (1945)

Action Date: 30-Jan-45
Service: Army
Rank: Private First Class
Company: Headquarters Company
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Regiment: 7th Infantry Regiment
Division: 3d Infantry Division

Citation submitted by Dwight "Andy" Anderson.

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Joseph served as a Private First Class, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army during World War II.

He resided in Wayne County, Michigan prior to the war.

Joseph was "Killed In Action" in France during the war.

He was awarded the "Distinguished Service Cross" and the Purple Heart with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Service # 16105122

Son of Maurice I. Bale who resided in Michigan during the war.

(Bio by: Russ Pickett)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Joseph L. Bale (ASN: 16105122), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 30 January 1945 near Wihr-en-Plaine, France. On that date Private Bale's battalion was attacked and halted by enemy tanks, which rolled over the assault riflemen and killed others. With 88-mm. machine gun fire and rifle grenade fire, Private First Class Bale fearlessly attacked with his rocket launcher, ignoring shells exploding five yards away and machine gun bullets which raked the position, he knocked out an enemy tank, forcing the Germans to withdraw. Later the same morning when his Battalion Operations was attacked by another tank at 100 yards, he braved shell fire in a single-handed attempt to destroy it, but was mortally wounded. Private First Class Bale's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 185 (1945)

Action Date: 30-Jan-45
Service: Army
Rank: Private First Class
Company: Headquarters Company
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Regiment: 7th Infantry Regiment
Division: 3d Infantry Division

Citation submitted by Dwight "Andy" Anderson.

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