Army Badge
  • Name: Joseph "Joe" George Miskovich
  • Location of Birth: Wakefield, Gogebic, Michigan
  • Date of Birth: April 9, 1914
  • Date of Death: KIA - February 20, 1945
  • Parents: Mike Miskovich & Amanda (Dommanie) Miskovich
  • High School and Class: 1933 Wakefield High School, Wakefield, Michigan
  • College:
  • Highest Rank: S SGT (Staff Sergeant)
  • Branch: Army
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: June 20, 1943
  • Place Sworn In: Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Date of Discharge:
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:
    Silver Star
    Purple Heart

  • Military Highlights:
    WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
    State: Minnesota
    Name: Joseph George Miskovich
    Race: White
    Age: 26
    Birth Date: April 9, 1914 [grave marker lists April 3, 1914]
    Birth Place: Gogebic, Michigan, USA
    Residence Place: Pengilly, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
    Registration Date: October 16, 1940
    Employer: Butler Bros., Cooley, Itasca, Minnesota
    Weight: 165
    Height: 6
    Complexion: Dark
    Eye Color: Brown
    Hair Color: Brown
    Next of Kin: Mrs. Mike Miskovich, cousin, Pengilly, Itasca, Minnesota

    World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
    Name: Joseph G. Miskovich
    Race: White
    Marital status: Single, without dependents (Single)
    Rank: Private
    Birth Year: 1914
    Nativity State or Country: Michigan
    Citizenship: Citizen
    Residence: Itasca, Minnesota
    Education: 4 years of high school
    Civil Occupation: Skilled chauffeurs & drivers, bus, taxi, truck, and tractor
    Enlistment Date: June 20, 1943
    Enlistment Place: Fort Snelling, Minnesota
    Branch: No branch assignment
    Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
    Source: Civil Life
    Height: 00
    Weight: 000

    Newspaper article: Eastern Itascan, Nashwauk, Minnesota - December 17, 1948: "Funeral services were held Monday, November 22, at two p.m. for Staff Sergeant Joseph Miskovich at Wakefield, Mich., with full military honors by the Gerneau post of the American Legion. The Rev. W. Mathisen of the Orthodox church officiated, interment being at the Wakefield cemetery. The body lay in state in the Veteran's room from Saturday evening until the hour of service. A Legion guard of honor was posted throughout the hours.
    S-Sgt. Miskovich served with the 85th Division of the 10th Mountain Infantry and was killed in action near Mt. Belvedere, Italy while leading his squad into a position to repel an enemy counter attack. He entered the armed forces July 1942 in CAP aeronautic training, later transferring into the glider and ski troops and received his training in Texas and Camp Hale, Colo.
    Joseph Miskovich was born in Wakefield, April 9, 1914, was graduated from the Wakefield schools in 1933. He came to Pengilly in 1935 and made his home with his cousin, Mike Miskovich. He was employed by Butler Brothers Mining Company as truck and bulldozer operator.
    Surviving him are his mother, Mrs. Amanda Miskovich; five brothers and three sisters: Steve, Eli, George, Mark and John of Wakefield; Mrs. Peter Delmet, Wakefield, Mrs. Mike Batinich, Verona, Mich., and Mrs. Nick Miljevich, Eveleth.
    S-Sgt. Miskovich was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action and the Order of the Purple Heart. He was awarded the Silver Star on August 23, 1945, near Mr. Belvedere, Italy."

    Except from "The Butler Miner", dated December, 1948:
    The Silver Star citation was made on August 23, 1945, and reads as follows: "For gallantry in action on February 20, 1945, near Mt. Belvedere, Italy. During the attack on a commanding mountain peak, Staff Sergeant Miskovich led one of the assault squads in overcoming fierce resistance to capture the summit. As consolidation of the newly won position began, strong machine gun and rifle fire was directed on the group from the left flank, and he was directed to move his squad to that flank in order to eliminate the resistance. As he and his men advanced on the enemy, increasingly heavy fire slowed their movements, until the attack was bogged down. Alone he continued forward by short rushes. When he was within 30 yards of the strongest enemy emplacement, he threw a grenade and charged the position. As he dashed forward, he was instantly killed by a burst of enemy fire. His men inspired by his gallant aggressiveness, entered the battle with renewed vigor, gained fire superiority over the hostile forces and drove them off, thus securing the flank and enabling the retention of hard-won position. By his splendid heroism and determination to close with the enemy, Staff Sergeant Miskovich earned the undying memory of all who witnessed his brave sacrifice, and perpetual fame in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Army."

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    The Pengilly Marinoff-Miskovich Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8831 was chartered December 15, 1946 and was named for Krist Marinoff and Joe Miskovich, both of whom were Killed in Action during World War II.

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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