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CITATION: GO 21, 24 February 1945 (page 3)
JOSEPH J. BALEK, 31315811, Private First Class, 508th Parachute Infantry.
For gallantry in action on 24 December, 1944, near ***,
BELGIUM. Private First Class BALEK was part of an
assault group which volunteered to cross a vital bridge to prevent
the enemy from seizing it before a demolition charge could be
prepared. The group succeeded in holding the enemy, then
withdrew to our side of the river. Private First Class BALEK
noted that two of his comrades had been wounded and were still on
the other side of the bridge. Unhesitatingly, he recrossed to
aid them and successfully covered their retreat. Before he
could cross himself, the bridge was destroyed. Private First
Class BALEK ran through a hail of small arms fire, jumped into the
river and swam across. Then he took up a position in a nearby
house and resumed firing, killing several Germans, where he remained
until reached by a counter-attack launched by his platoon. His
complete disregard for personal safety to help his wounded comrades
was gallantry which reflects great credit upon himself and the
Airborne Forces of the United states Army. Entered military service from
FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT.
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