Joseph J . Sadowski Joseph John Sadowski ( December 8 , 1917 – September 14 , 1944 ) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military ' s highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in World War II . Biography . Sadowski joined the Army from his birth city of Perth Amboy , New Jersey in May 1941 , and by September 14 , 1944 was serving as a Sergeant in the 37th Tank Battalion , 4th Armored Division . On that day , in Valhey , France , Sadowski ' s tank was disabled by enemy fire . He and his crew dismounted the vehicle , except for one man who was trapped inside the burning tank . Despite intense enemy fire , Sadowski returned to the tank and attempted to rescue the crewman , but was killed before he could do so . For his actions , he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor seven months later , on April 23 , 1945 . Sadowski , aged 26 at his death , was buried in Saint Stephens Cemetery , Keasbey , New Jersey . The Sadowski Field House at Fort Knox is named in his honor . A monument to Sadowski was erected on the Parkway bearing his name in Perth Amboy by the Society of Polish Combatants ( Stowarzyszenie Polskich Kombatantow ) , Post 40 . In 1999 , the citizens of Valhey , France , also erected a monument honoring Sgt . Sadowski . In September , 2009 , ceremonies were held at the monument recognizing 65 years since Sgt . Sadowski ' s death . Colonel James Herbert ( Jimmie ) Leach Company Commander in the 37th Tank Battalion at the time of Sgt . Sadowski ' s death made remarks . Medal of Honor citation . Sergeant Sadowski ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Valhey , France . On the afternoon of 14 September 1944 , Sgt . Sadowski as a tank commander was advancing with the leading elements of Combat Command A , 4th Armored Division , through an intensely severe barrage of enemy fire from the streets and buildings of the town of Valhey . As Sgt . Sadowski ' s tank advanced through the hail of fire , it was struck by a shell from an 88 - mm . gun fired at a range of 20 yards . The tank was disabled and burst into flames . The suddenness of the enemy attack caused confusion and hesitation among the crews of the remaining tanks of our forces . Sgt . Sadowski immediately ordered his crew to dismount and take cover in the adjoining buildings . After his crew had dismounted , Sgt . Sadowski discovered that 1 member of the crew , the bow gunner , had been unable to leave the tank . Although the tank was being subjected to a withering hail of enemy small - arms , bazooka , grenade , and mortar fire from the streets and from the windows of adjacent buildings , Sgt . Sadowski unhesitatingly returned to his tank and endeavored to pry up the bow gunner ' s hatch . While engaged in this attempt to rescue his comrade from the burning tank , he was cut down by a stream of machinegun fire which resulted in his death . The gallant and noble sacrifice of his life in the aid of his comrade , undertaken in the face of almost certain death , so inspired the remainder of the tank crews that they pressed forward with great ferocity and completely destroyed the enemy forces in this town without further loss to themselves . The heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sgt . Sadowski , which resulted in his death , inspired the remainder of his force to press forward to victory , and reflect the highest tradition of the armed forces .