The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Sergeant Joe Warren Gill (ASN: 20805398), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with an Infantry Company of the 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Italy, on 15 December 1943. First Sergeant Gill volunteered for a dangerous operation, leading an Infantry platoon to the top of an enemy-held hill. Though it was night, he observed a cave with tent canvas over its entrance. He slipped up to the mouth of the cave and pulled aside the canvas. One of his men shot a German officer just before he fired at First Sergeant Gill. First Sergeant Gill then sprang inside the cave and dragged a German soldier outside where he forced the captured enemy to divulge the location of enemy positions. With this knowledge, First Sergeant Gill helped capture 15 more German prisoners. 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.

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 Sergeant Joe W. Gill, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with , 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in gallantry in action while serving with , 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on Mount Maggiore, Italy, while leading a patrol on 9 December 1943. First Sergeant Gill and his three-man patrol set out to locate enemy defenses in enemy territory. He stealthily advanced through darkness and rain over steep muddy trails in the rugged mountains, encountering hostile as well as friendly artillery fire along the way, and enemy patrols which he skillfully evaded. He remained in the area most of the night and secured valuable information which he later returned to his unit. 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, his unit, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Joe W. Gill, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company E, 2d Battalion, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on the Siegfried Line, on 25 March 1945. When his company’s attack was stopped approximately 200 yards from a wooded area by heavy small arms and mortar fire, Captain Gill ordered a tank destroyer crew to neutralize the enemy positions with machine gun fire. Upon learning that the machine gun had jammed, he jumped on top of the tank destroyer and, braving the hostile fire, swiftly repaired the gun. As the tank destroyer advanced toward the woods, Captain Gill remained at his exposed position and despite the intensity of hostile fire, operated the machine gun with extraordinary effectiveness, successfully neutralizing the enemy’s fire. His leadership enabled his men to gain a foothold in the woods. One Germany officer and 52 enlisted men were taken prisoner. 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.