Edward J. Moskala

Who was Edward J. Moskala?

Edward J. Moskala was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II.

Moskala joined the Army from his birth city of Chicago, Illinois, and by April 9, 1945 was serving as a private first class in Company C, 383rd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division. On that day, at Kakazu Ridge on Okinawa Island, he destroyed two enemy machine gun positions before volunarily staying behind to cover his unit's withdrawal. He later helped rescue wounded men who had been left behind and was killed while aiding another wounded comrade. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor ten months later, on February 26, 1946.

Moskala, aged 23 at his death, was buried in Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois.