The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Field Artillery) Joseph Daniel Cavolick (ASN: )F-107586), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Cavolick distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 March 1969 while serving as Commanding Officer, Battery B, 3d Battalion, 34th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division, as his company was being transported along a canal near Mo Cay. When the boat column came under fierce attack from a well entrenched enemy force, Captain Cavolick courageously took up an exposed position on the deck of his boat to direct the fire of his men. Although he was wounded when an enemy rocket struck near his location, he moved through the fusillade to assist other casualties and then adjusted gunship strikes onto the enemy positions, moving from barge to barge to do so. He refused evacuation until the hostile fire had been silenced and all the men had been cared for. Captain Cavolick’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.