Joe R. Hastings-Magnolia, OH
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 40° 39.336 W 081° 17.772
17T E 474959 N 4500568
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action at Drabenderhohe, Germany on April 12, 1945. He was killed in action. He is buried in Magnolia Cemetery, Magnolia, OH.
Waymark Code: WMX0G7
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 11/08/2017
Views: 0
He was born on April 8, 1925 in Malvern, OH and died on April 16, 1945 in Germany. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *HASTINGS, JOE R.
• Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 386th Infantry, 97th Infantry Division
• Place and date: Drabenderhohe, Germany, 12 April 1945
• Entered service at: Magnolia, Ohio.
• G.O. No.: 101, 8 November 1945
Citation: He fought gallantly during an attack against strong enemy forces defending Drabenderhohe, Germany, from the dug-in positions on commanding ground. As squad leader of a light machinegun section supporting the advance of the 1st and 3d Platoons, he braved direct rifle, machinegun, 20mm., and mortar fire, some of which repeatedly missed him only by inches, and rushed forward over 350 yards of open, rolling fields to reach a position from which he could fire on the enemy troops. From this vantage point he killed the crews of a 20mm. gun and a machinegun, drove several enemy riflemen from their positions, and so successfully shielded the 1st Platoon, that it had time to reorganize and remove its wounded to safety. Observing that the 3d Platoon to his right was being met by very heavy 40mm. and machinegun fire, he ran 150 yards with his gun to the leading elements of that unit, where he killed the crew of the 40mm. gun. As spearhead of the 3d Platoon's attack, he advanced, firing his gun held at hip height, disregarding the bullets that whipped past him, until the assault had carried 175 yards to the objective. In this charge he and the riflemen he led killed or wounded many of the fanatical enemy and put 2 machineguns out of action. Pfc. Hastings, by his intrepidity, outstanding leadership, and unrelenting determination to wipe out the formidable German opposition, cleared the path for his company's advance into Drabenderhohe. He was killed 4 days later while again supporting the 3d Platoon.
Armed Service: Army
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