Joe C. Specker

Silencing enemy guns on Mount Porchia

Joe C. Specker was born on January 10, 1921, in Odessa, Missouri. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army's 48th Combat Engineer Battalion during World War II.

On the night of January 7, 1944, his company advanced up Mount Porchia, Italy. After reconnaissance revealed a machine-gun nest and snipers blocking its path, Specker volunteered to take a machine gun forward alone. Enemy fire severely wounded him. Unable to walk, he dragged himself and his equipment across rough ground, set up the gun, and silenced the opposing position. His fire forced the snipers to withdraw and allowed his platoon to reach its objective. He was found dead at his gun.

His posthumous Medal of Honor was presented to his parents in Odessa on July 30, 1944, by Major General John B. Anderson. Specker was buried in Odessa Cemetery. His award records the determination of a combat engineer who continued his mission despite fatal wounds.

Official Medal of Honor citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, in action involving actual conflict. On the night of 7 January 1944, Sgt. Specker, with his company, was advancing up the slope of Mount Porchia, Italy. He was sent forward on reconnaissance and on his return he reported to his company commander the fact that there was an enemy machine-gun nest and several well-placed snipers directly in the path and awaiting the company. Sgt. Specker requested and was granted permission to place one of his machine guns in a position near the enemy machine gun. Voluntarily and alone he made his way up the mountain with a machine gun and a box of ammunition. He was observed by the enemy as he walked along and was severely wounded by the deadly fire directed at him. Though so seriously wounded that he was unable to walk, he continued to drag himself over the jagged edges of rock and rough terrain until he reached the position at which he desired to set up his machine gun. He set up the gun so well and fired so accurately that the enemy machine-gun nest was silenced and the remainder of the snipers forced to retire, enabling his platoon to obtain their objective. Sgt. Specker was found dead at his gun. His personal bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination were an inspiration to his officers and fellow soldiers.