1956-08-16-sr-p13-dutch-raise-tribute-to-joe-mann
August 16, 1956 Spokesman-Review Page 13:
Dutch Raise Tribute to Reardan Trooper
The citizens of Best, Holland, have erected a permanent memorial to Joe E. Mann and the 504th parachute infantry regiment. Joe was the first paratrooper from the Inland Empire killed in action in Holland during World War II. His parents, Mr, and Mrs. J. H. Mann, Reardan, Wash. wheat ranchers, will attend the dedication of the Joe E. Mann theater at Best.
Heroism a Symbol
The townsfolk belatedly learned the story of the regiment and the part played by Joe in the liberation of Best.
“What has struck us above all is the episode of Mann’s courageous self-sacrifice,’ city officials said. “For us his heroism has be- came a symbol of all that the allied forces have gone through for our sake and for the liberation of this Holland.”
Mann was born July 12, 1922, at Reardan. He was 22 when he died September 18, 1944.
Joe was 20 when he enlisted. The parents said he wanted to be a fighter pilot, but a shoulder injury kept him from passing the physical examination. The father said the son decided on the paratroopers.
Written Permission
“We gave written permission,” Mann said. “Joe was under age when he wanted to join up.”
Joe graduated from Reardan high school. Joe loved sports and played football and baseball.
“On the ranch he learned to do everything,’ Mann said. “He could run the machinery and he was a good mechanic.”
Joe was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The story of Joe’s heroic action was contained in the award citation. It is presented in detail in "Rendezvous With Destiny,” the story of the 504th.
Four Times Wounded
The 504th was engaged in combat in the vicinity of Best. Joe’s platoon was attempting to seize the bridge across the Wilhelmina canal. The outfit was isolated by an enemy force "greatly superior in personnel and fire power," the citation said.
Mann was acting as lead scout on the September 17, 1944, battle, and crept within rocket range of enemy artillery positions and in the face of heavy fire Joe destroyed an 88-mm gun and an ammunition dump.
Joe remained in his exposed position until he was wounded four times while inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Later, he insisted on returning to stand guard.
The enemy launched a concerted attack on the morning of September 1 and advanced to within a few yards of the platoon's position. Throwing hand grenades, the enemy approached. One landed close to Mann.
Unable to lift bandaged arms that were taped to his sides he yelled “grenade,” and threw his body over the explosive and as it exploded, died.
His body was returned to Spokane. He is buried at Greenwood cemetery.
[photo]
Mr. and Mrs. J, H. Mann, Reardan, Wash., will participate in Dutch ceremony honoring their paratrooper son, Pvt. Joe E. Mann of the 504th airborne regiment (inset ).
