The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Seaman Second Class Joseph J. Van Hoosier, United States Navy, for meritorious conduct at the peril of his own life during the attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. After having saved his own life by swimming from the capsized U.S.S. UTAH (AG-16) to the shore of Ford Island, Seaman Second Class Van Hoosier heard cries of distress from his shipmates in the water. In spite of enemy strafing and bombing and while in full uniform, he immediately swam back towards the ship and succeeded in rescuing Harold H. Ray, Seaman Second Class, USN, bringing him to the shore. Immediately thereafter he made at least four more trips to the ship’s side, assisting a shipmate in distress each time. His initiative, courage, presence of mind and unselfishness were in keeping with the best traditions of the United States Naval Service.