The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph F. Grady, Jr. (ASN: 0-1283244), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 8 November 1944 in France. On that date, Lieutenant Grady, Executive Officer of an infantry rifle company attacking a strongly held ridge, assumed command of the company when the company commander became a casualty. After he had reorganized the company, in the face of intense mortar and machine gun fire, he changed the direction of the attack and overran the machine gun positions, successfully taking the objective. Later a heavy mortar and artillery concentration, followed by a strong enemy counterattack, forced two platoons of his company to withdraw. Lieutenant Grady immediately reorganized the company under extremely heavy artillery fire, and with utter disregard for his own safety, personally led the assault to retake the objective. The personal courage, aggressiveness, and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Grady were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.