Sgt. Saul J. Joseph
Date: May 23, 2022
Sargent Saul J. Joseph was born on June 23, 1920, in Iran. Well respected, not only does Sgt. Joseph carries a Silver and Bronze Star; however, also carries a Purple Heart for the wounds he suffered in action. Widely decorated, Sgt. Joseph also received medals from France and Britain as well.
Sgt. had brothers, Samson and David who also served in the military in World War II. Sgt. Joseph served in the same company as his brother, Saul, through the war and was married to a woman named Olga.
Sgt. Joseph earned the Silver Star for his bravery while fighting in France on September 16, 1944. According to The Military Times, “In order to increase the effectiveness of his weapons platoon’s support of the assaulting units, Sergeant Joseph, acting platoon leader, ordered his gun crew to serve as ammunition handlers while he assumed operation of the crew’s light machine gun. In vain, the enemy attempted to silence his weapon, for although wounded by mortar fire, Sergeant Joseph tenaciously held his position until his fire was masked by the advance of his own troops. Only then did he allow himself to be evacuated. Sergeant Joseph’s gallantry in action is in accord with the military traditions of the United States”
The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. It is awarded for gallantry in action:
- While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;
- While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
- While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
Actions that merit the Silver Star must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations but do not merit award of the meet Medal of Honor or a Service Cross (Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross).
The Bronze Star also known as the Bronze Star Medal or BSM for short, is a military medal awarded for heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Wear of a “V” device on the medal is authorized for acts of valor in combat.
The Purple Heart
To receive the Purple Heart, the Army’s current regulations require that a soldier be injured by enemy action and receive documented treatment from a medical officer. The Army’s official list of wounds that “clearly justify” the award includes, “Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions.”
In his later years, he later then ended up working for the Lincoln Park Zoo as a Senior Zookeeper.
On his Birthday in the year 2013, Sgt. Joseph was presented with an honorary street name in Chicago, Illinois. This was sponsored by Alderman Ameya Pawar. The honorary street can be found on the 4800 block of North Lawrence Ave at the northwest corner of Ashland and Lawrence
Sgt. Saul J. Joseph then passed away on December 25, 2012, in Chicago, Illinois.
Published & Written by: Brian Banyamin