Joseph L. Bale III
Private First Class, U.S. Army

On 30 January 1945, Private First Class Joseph L. Bale III was serving with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Seventh U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, PFC Bale's unit was in action against German forces near Wihr-en-Plaine, France, when the 2nd Battalion was attacked and halted by enemy tanks that rolled over the assault riflemen and killed others. With machine gun and rifle grenade fire, PFC Bale attacked with his rocket launcher. Ignoring shells exploding 5 yards away and machine gun bullets raking the position, he knocked out an enemy tank, causing the Germans to withdraw. When the 2nd Battalion Operations Post was attacked by another tank at 100 yards, he braved shell fire in a single-handed attempt to destroy it, but was mortally wounded. PFCs Bale's selfless, courageous actions, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Joseph L. Bale (16105122), Private First Class, U.S. 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.

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

Burial

Private First Class Joseph L. Bale III is buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Epinal, Departement des Vosges, Lorraine, France, in Plot B, Row 34, Grave 56.

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