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 Technician Fifth Grade Joseph George Zupancic, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 13th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Mateur, Tunisia, from 5 to 10 May 1943. When his tank had been stopped, Technician Fifth Grade Zupancic continued to fire his gun into the enemy position until his supply of ammunition was exhausted. By that time, his location had become the target for enemy artillery and small arms fire, but Technician Fifth Grade Zupancic remained until he had radioed his officers all the information he had obtained regarding the enemy gun positions. He then assisted the wounded driver in leaving the vehicle, and the two men exited the tank but were captured en route to a medical aid station, and taken to a location where his lieutenant was also being held as a prisoner of war. Two days later after a 40 mile march by the German Afrika Corps, when his Lieutenant came face to face with several Italians, he made them believe he was armed by threateningly pressing outward on a teaspoon held in his pocket and they lined up and the officer and Technician Fifth Grade Zupancic were able to escape. A short time later, 8 Italians in a truck were captured when they again successfully used the same ruse to compel their surrender. Further down the road, the officer again used the ruse to capture 17 more Germans. Technician Fifth Grade Zupancic and his lieutenant then loaded all the prisoners into the two vehicles they had taken and dove them, unchallenged, to friendly lines. Technician Fifth Grade Zupancic’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.