The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Joseph Harold Dew (ASN: 0-1017451), United States Army, for heroism in action against the enemy while serving with the 741st Tank Battalion (Separate), attached to the 2d Infantry Division, In action against the enemy on 15 September 1944, in Germany. First Lieutenant Dew’s tank platoon was supporting an infantry company and a group of engineers in reducing a defensive installation of the Siegfried Line. Intense artillery, mortar and small arms fire pinned the foot troops to the ground, preventing them from blowing a gap through the dragons teeth and retarding the advance of the tanks. Realizing that the heavy defensive fire was preventing demolition attempts by the engineers, First Lieutenant Dew, with utter disregard for his own safety, climbed from his tank turret. Standing in a completely exposed position atop his tank, he sighted along the tube of the gun, assisted his gunner in aiming the weapon and, after repeated attempts, successfully blasted a path through the dragons teeth sufficient for the passage of his tanks. Although foot troops were still unable to advance due to the intensity of the hostile fire, First Lieutenant Dew heroically led his tanks through the breach and personally directed them in destroying two anti-tank guns and forcing the withdrawal of others. The personal bravery, tenacity of purpose and conspicuous leadership displayed by First Lieutenant Dew exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.