Joe Gandara
Private, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient, World War II

Joe Gandara was born in Santa Monica, CA, on 25 April 1924. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in between 1942-1943.

Gandara is being recognized for his heroic actions on 9 June 1944, in Amfreville, France, while serving with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Gandara’s detachment came under devastating enemy fire from a strong German force, pinning the men to the ground for about four hours. Gandara advanced voluntarily and alone toward the enemy position and destroyed three hostile machine-guns before he was fatally wounded.

Medals, Awards & Badges

Medal of Honor *
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Theater Campaign Medal
European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star and Arrowhead Device
World War II Victory Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge with Gold Star (1 Combat Jump)

He also received the French Fourragere.

* Medal of Honor

Seeking to correct potential acts of bias spanning three wars, and following a Congressionally-mandated review to ensure that eligible veterans were not bypassed due to prejudice, the Medal of Honor will be awarded to 24 Army veterans. The unusual mass ceremony, scheduled for 18 March 2014, will honor veterans, most of Hispanic or Jewish heritage, who had already received the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second-highest military award for valor. Only three of the recipients are living.

The Army conducted the review under a directive from Congress in the 2002 National Defense Authorization Act. The law required that the record of each Jewish American and Hispanic American veteran who received a Distinguished Service Cross, during or after World War II, be reviewed for possible upgrade to the Medal of Honor.

The Army reviewed the cases of the 6,505 recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross from World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and found an eligible pool of 600 soldiers who may have been Jewish or Hispanic. The Army also worked with the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, the Jewish War Veterans of the USA and the American GI Forum, the largest Hispanic-American veterans group, to pinpoint potential medal recipients. Of the 24, seven fought in World War II, nine in the Korean War, and eight in the Vietnam War.

Since the award of the Medal of Honor is an upgrade to the Distinguished Service Cross already received by PVT Gandara, it is based on the valorous actions in the Citation for his DSC.

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 Pvt. Joe Gandara, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, while serving with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces, June 9, 1944, in France. When his detachment came under devastating enemy fire from a strong German force, pinning the men to the ground for a period of four hours, Gandara advanced voluntarily and alone toward the enemy position. Firing his machine-gun from a carrying position as he moved forward, he destroyed three hostile machine-guns before he was fatally wounded. By his selfless devotion to duty and outstanding valor, Gandara prevented heavy casualties to members of the detachment.

His 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 82nd Airborne Division, and the United States Army. [Citation represents Soldier's rank at time of action,]

Burial

Private Joe Gandara is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, CA.