Joseph L. Bale

Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 30 January 1945 near Wihr-en-Plaine, France. On that date Private Bale's battalion was attacked and halted by enemy tanks, which rolled over the assault riflemen and killed others. With 88-mm. machine gun fire and rifle grenade fire, Private First Class Bale fearlessly attacked with his rocket launcher, ignoring shells exploding five yards away and machine gun bullets which raked the position, he knocked out an enemy tank, forcing the Germans to withdraw. Later the same morning when his Battalion Operations was attacked by another tank at 100 yards, he braved shell fire in a single-handed attempt to destroy it, but was mortally wounded. Private First Class Bale's intrepid actions, 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 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 185 (1945)