Two paratroopers of the 101st, both awarded with the MOH, fell on the SAME date and in the SAME place during Operation Market Garden.

Lt Col Robert G Cole (MOH for leading the bajonet assault near Carrentan on June 6th) and Pfc Joe E. Mann (MOH posthumously) were both K.I.A. on september 18th 1944 near the town of Best, Holland.

Pfc. Joe E. Mann

Joe Mann was probably the first allied soldier I learned to know by name (and heart). I must have been six years old when my father told me for the first time the story of Joe Mann when we passed the Joe Mann Open Air Theater in Best on our way to Eindhoven. I'll never forget what an impression it made on me... I have been fascinated with WWII ever since.

The Joe Mann Open Air Theater was built in honor of Joe Mann and almost exactly on the spot where he fell. It still exists and keeps the memory alive. There is also a Joe Mann Monument in the woods of Best.

For those who are not familiar with the story of Joe Mann read this official MOH-citation.


MANN, JOE E.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company H, 502d Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. Place and date: Best, Holland, 18 September 1944. Entered service at: Seattle, Wash. Birth: Rearden, Wash. G.O. No.: 73, 30 August 1945. Citation: He distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. On 18 September 1944, in the vicinity of Best., Holland, his platoon, attempting to seize the bridge across the Wilhelmina Canal, was surrounded and isolated by an enemy force greatly superior in personnel and firepower. Acting as lead scout, Pfc. Mann boldly crept to within rocket-launcher range of an enemy artillery position and, in the face of heavy enemy fire, destroyed an 88mm. gun and an ammunition dump. Completely disregarding the great danger involved, he remained in his exposed position, and, with his M-1 rifle, killed the enemy one by one until he was wounded 4 times. Taken to a covered position, he insisted on returning to a forward position to stand guard during the night. On the following morning the enemy launched a concerted attack and advanced to within a few yards of the position, throwing hand grenades as they approached. One of these landed within a few feet of Pfc. Mann. Unable to raise his arms, which were bandaged to his body, he yelled "grenade" and threw his body over the grenade, and as it exploded, died. His outstanding gallantry above and beyond the call of duty and his magnificent conduct were an everlasting inspiration to his comrades for whom he gave his life.

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/mohiib1.htm

Thank you for posting the story!
--Wild Lorie

Joe Mann is a shining example of bravery and self-sacrifice.

All I can say is "wow". What heroism.

Vee

In Berlin, I lived no more than 50 feet from the Mann Fitness Center. If memory serves me, there is building named after LTC Cole at Fort Campbell.

For a brief but excellent history of the 502nd (my regiment), go to http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/age...101abn-2bde.htm

Matt

STRIKE!

I believe they named a bridge after Joe Mann near where he fell.

I am not sure about the bridge... I'll check it next time I am in Best (four days from now).

Have you seen this website: http://www.band-of-brothers.nl/main/US-Art.../US%20Amenu.asp

Not that there is so much NEW information on it, just a few new details, but it's a well-organized site and worth a visit.

Wow! What a great soldier! Thanks for sharing that...

gold

That is a remarkable story, truly heroic.

I have a question though - why if he was injured wasn't he pulled back?

He insisted on being back on the front line but surely they should have pulled him out?

Or was the situation so bad that there was nowhere really else to go?

The situation in the woods of Best and at the canalside was bad and chaotic indeed.

I think that they needed every single man who was able to contribute to the fight somehow. Even it wasn't for the full 100%... like Mann, who was severly wounded.

And don't forget the willpower of this hero. He was permitted to leave the battleground, but he simply refused.

It's not much of a comparrisson, but perhaps it was a bit like the wounded soldiers who "escaped" from hospitals to re-join their companies. Even if they weren't fit for the job.

Like I said... it's not right to compare Mann's heroism with an hospital-escape... but I am sure you know what I mean.

Yeah - incredible stuff. I shall add that to my list of places to check out on my Holland trip. Thanks Bart.

You're welcome.

And you're welcome for a coffee / beer / or whatever too... when you visit Holland.

Whereever you go... I am always nearby.
Cause I am living right in the center of my little but interesting country

Wow. I'd heard Mann's story before, but didn't know how revered he really was. Thanks for sharing all that information. I just simply have to come up with enough money to visit all these places.

My husband and I have talked for a couple of years about taking our kids around to see how wonderfully Europe has recuperated from such horrible destruction (when they're older, they're 5, 7 and 9 right now). They have seen bits of BoB and we certainly want them to experience the full impact of what happened during the war. We try so hard to impress on them how important knowing and understanding what happened in WWII was. There have been many heroes since, but quite frankly, they don't make men like that any more. We are trying so very hard to raise our son to be a man of honor, and our daughters to be both strong and lady-like at the same time. There is a loss to society when we don't honor and revere such men as we should. One friend said that after she watched BoB, she stopped thinking of veterans as "grumpy old men" and started to feel that if they WERE grumpy, they certainly had a right to be, the way society is going. I was thrilled to hear how her perception of veterans had changed.

Young people today just don't value older people as they should and are missing out on a vast wealth of experience, interesting stories and the like. My children will be raised with an understanding of how history affects us today, and why it's so important. One of my greatest thrills as a parent is when they ask me to tell them stories from BoB. We have some lively discussions, even at their young ages, about the things that happened in WWII and what might have been if Hitler and his army hadn't been stopped. They aren't old enough to really understand most of it now, but they will carry the knowledge around with them ane one day it will all click.

God forbid that all the sacrifice and agony and heroism should ever be forgotten.

Gail

Remember that to kids, anything that did not happen to them personally is just a story.

It's only when you get older that you appreciate and understand time and distance.

That's why it's taking my daughter less time to get through kindergarten than it took me to get through the fourth grade. My fourth grade took about 10 years, according to my memory. But at that time, it was a central event in a short life.

Today, to my big surprise, I've met the sister and the nephew of Joe Mann, during the ceremony at the new Cole monument in Best. What a lovely lady she is. Not only did she take the time to talk to me for quite a while (and the same can be said about the rest of her lovely family!), she also wrote a a long and personal comment in my 101st book. It was a real honour meeting you, Mrs. Mann-Bennett. Will never forget it. And I'll keep my promise.


Mrs Mann-Bennett during the ceremony at the LTC Cole monument, in Best (Holland)


Signing my book about the 101st AB Div., a present that was given to me by Rob a few years ago. Thanks again mate... they all liked the book!!!

Bart, most excellent! I'm delighted you had the chance to make that connection. It all adds up to a most worthy tribute to a most deserving hero.

Beyond that, this is a good time to renew my thanks to the non-Americans who take time to appreciate American vets, living and dead. You all have my deep gratitude.