Heroism was nothing new to Capt Joseph Giacobello, like surviving the Normandy landings or singlehandedly taking out MG nests and Panther Tanks.
On 10 December 1944, it would be no different since his company was given the mission of seizing an enemy-held factory on the far side of the Saar River at Sarreguemines, France.
The Captain and two enlisted men crossed the river on an improvised plank bridge, assaulted the first machine-gun position and killed the crew. Then, entering the first factory building they killed twelve more of the enemy and assaulted the main building, where for three hours they fought a superior number of the enemy among the factory machines with grenades, pistols, and finally with knives.
The enemy set fire to the building, but the men held their ground, and in hand-to-hand combat the fearless Captain killed two of the enemy. When the rest of the company arrived, Captain Giacobello led them against the remaining defenders and completely annihilated them.
For his actions, Giacobello was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and became a legend back home in Mount Union PA scoring free tang and beer for the remainder of his days. #ww2 #stayzero #zerofoxtrot #hero