Joseph W. Cambron
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

On 8 October 1944, then-First Lieutenant Joseph W. Cambron was serving with an Infantry Company of the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, First U.S. Army.

On that day, 1LT Cambron's unit was in action against enemy forces in Germany. Seriously wounded by a shell fragment as he led his platoon across an open field during an advance upon a pillbox, 1LT Cambron dragged himself to a nearby shell crater to locate the source of the machine gun, automatic weapons and small arms fire that had his platoon pinned to the ground. After crawling back to his squad leaders to issue orders, he was spotted by the enemy and wounded a second time. Despite this, he directed effective fire upon the strongpoint to cover the withdrawal of his men. Seeing a squad leader struck by a hail of bullets from the pillbox, 1LT Cambron dragged himself across a completely exposed sector to aid his wounded sergeant. 1LT Cambron, again the object of devastating enemy fire, was fatally wounded as he tried to pull the sergeant to safety. 1LT Cambron's inspiring leadership, courageous actions, and extraordinary heroism, 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
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph W. Cambron (ASN: 0-1317881), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 8 October 1944, in Germany. Seriously wounded by a shell fragment as he led his platoon across an open field during an advance upon a pillbox, First Lieutenant Cambron dragged himself to a nearby shell crater to locate the source of the withering machine gun, automatic weapons and small arms fire which pinned his platoon to the ground. After crawling back to his squad leaders to issue necessary orders, he was spotted by the enemy and again wounded. Despite intense pain, he remained staunch and directed effective fire upon the strongpoint to cover the withdrawal of his men. Observing a squad leader struck by a hail of bullets from the pillbox, First Lieutenant Cambron, although twice wounded, dragged himself across a completely exposed sector to the aid of his wounded sergeant. Again the object of devastating enemy fire, First Lieutenant Cambron was fatally wounded as he attempted to pull the sergeant to safety. First Lieutenant Cambron's fearless leadership, 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 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 3 (January 4, 1945)

Burial

First Lieutenant Joseph W. Cambron is buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium in Plot A, Row 7, Grave 33.

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