The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Joseph E. White, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with a Field Artillery Battalion of the 34th Infantry Division in Tunisia. Under heavy German shell fire, one of the howitzers received a direct hit which killed a member of the crew, wounded several men, ignited a number of powder charges, and set fire to a box of hand grenades. Corporal White, together with an officer and four enlisted men, extinguished the fire in the box of hand grenades with water and shovels even though there was danger of the box exploding. Corporal White’s 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, his unit, and the United States Army.