The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Corporal Joseph C. Walker, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 83d Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Armored Division, in action against the enemy Germany, on 17 November 1944. The 1st and 2d Platoons of Company D, 83d Armored Reconnaissance Battalion with a light tank platoon attached, were given the mission of mopping up enemy resistance in the vicinity of Weipenburg, Germany. During the attack the platoons were pinned down by heavy artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire. Concentrated barrages of machine gun fire were coming 400 yards to our front. Suddenly machine gun fire broke out from our left flank out of our zone, pinning down our left flank platoon. Corporal Walker and a member of his squad went to investigate the fire, thinking it was from a friendly source. Their investigation revealed that three American M-4 tanks manned by the enemy were firing on the platoon. Being fully exposed to the enemy, Corporal Walker opened fire upon the enemy and his action drew the enemy fire upon himself and his comrade, thus enabling the platoon to withdraw. Corporal Walker assisted the platoon leader in reorganizing and withdrawing the platoon through an enemy mined area while still under heavy mortar fire. His bravery and determination to close with the enemy in the face of enemy fire won for him the admiration of all his comrades and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.