The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Joseph W. Pilck (ASN: 35520669), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a Squad Leader with Company G, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 16 September 1944. Sergeant Pilck, when his squad fell back after exhausting its ammunition during an enemy attack, single-handedly engaged a force which had taken positions on his exposed flank, killing two men manning an automatic weapon and accounting for twelve more Germans who attempted to set the weapon in operation. Making a frontal attack upon the enemy force with the men of his squad, he fought furiously, using all available weapons, including the enemy machine gun, to prevent the enemy from stabilizing their positions. Through refusing to withdraw or take cover, and through his spirit of self-sacrifice and devotion to duty, Sergeant Pilck, prevented the capture or destruction of his squad and refused the enemy access to a vital terrain feature. The personal bravery, determination and devotion to duty of Staff Sergeant Pilck reflects great credit on himself and on the Armed Forces.