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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph S. Giacobello (ASN: 0-1311878), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, France, on 11 September 1944. Lieutenant Giacobello, Commanding Officer of Company F, 2d Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment, led an assault squad of sixteen riflemen across a dam of the **** River in the face of particularly heavy concentrations of enemy fire, with the mission of establishing a foothold on the east bank of the river. His troops took cover behind a retaining wall of the dam, but Lieutenant Giacobello, with utter disregard for personal safety, leaped over the wall and onto the hostile shore. He was separated from other troops for a period of twelve hours, during which time he maneuvered along the enemy shore line and infiltrated enemy positions, securing valuable information. When his squad finally succeeded in rejoining him, Lieutenant Giacobello established communications with the battalion command post and directed movement of supporting troops to his area, thereby securing the bridgehead. His gallant actions and tenacity of purpose are in accord with the military traditions of the United States.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph S. Giacobello (ASN: 0-1311878), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company F, 2d Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, Normandy, France, 13 July 1944. During an attack in the vicinity of ****, Normandy, France, Lieutenant Giacobello’s company was held up by enemy machine guns firing from a group of houses. Attempts to advance were in each case repulsed, with casualties and without progress. He voluntarily led a patrol to outflank the enemy positions, crawled to a hedgerow on the right flank to an advanced position, from which he threw eight hand grenades to destroy one enemy machine gun position, although, during the action, he was wounded in the face and elbow by machine gun and mortar fire. Disregarding his wounds, and refusing to accept medical aid until all positions were secured, he proceeded with his patrol to capture his platoon objective and placed fire on other enemy positions to permit the advance of his company. The gallantry in action, leadership in battle, disregard for his personal comfort, reflects high credit on Lieutenant Giacobello and furnished an inspiration for the members of his command. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.