The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Joseph Olin Van Osdol (ASN: 37620533), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 362d Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces between Strada and Forcoli, Italy, on 17 July 1944. Private First Class Van Osdol volunteered to carry and operate the radio set when the company operator became a casualty. Seeing a wounded comrade, Private First Class Van Osdol assisted the casualty through an enemy barrage to an aid station and returned through the barrage and continued to perform his duties as radio operator. Discovering that his set would not function properly in the Company Command Post, Private First Class Van Osdol set up his radio in a position exposed to heavy shell fire. Shells burst dangerously close to him, but he calmly remained at his post. Later in the day when leading elements of his company were halted by enemy fire, Private First Class Osdol accompanied his Commanding Officer two hundred yards across an area swept by fire from two machine guns. For the second time during the day, he assisted a wounded comrade, removing a soldier buried in a building destroyed by artillery fire. As the fight progressed, Private First Class Van Osdol volunteered to go forward under intense fire to provide a rifle platoon leader direct communication with the mortar platoon. As he advanced, one bullet punctured his canteen and two others penetrated the radio on his back. Arriving at the forward position, Private First Class Van Osdol placed his radio in a small ditch and courageously remained exposed himself, operating his radio in the thick of the fight. Throughout the day, Private First Class Van Osdol exposed himself to heavy fire to provide his company with means of coordination and control. Private First Class Van Osdol’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 91st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.