The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Private First Class Joseph B. Haan (ASN: 17047734), United States Army, for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an armed enemy near Arsdorf, Luxembourg, on 25 – 26 December 1944. On the night of 25 – 26 December 1944, Private Haan, a Headquarters Company patrolman, went forward with a reconnaissance patrol along the south bank of the Sžre River in the vicinity of Arsdorf on the mission of locating a suitable location for an assault crossing and bridge site for the Battalion’s planned river crossing. Moving through bright moonlight and along the precipitous, ice-covered bank, they encountered an enemy combat patrol and after a fierce fire fight forced the foe to disperse. After locating a suitable crossing point and bridge site, Private Haan and his comrades crossed the river in rubber boats and cautiously worked their way up a steep hill on the north bank. The patrol surprised a three-man enemy outpost, killed two, and took the remaining foe prisoner. Infiltrating fifteen hundred yards over the high ground and into enemy territory, the patrol discovered and reconnoitered an unmapped road and found it passable for all vehicles of the Battalion up to its junction with the main road leading into Bavigne. Private First Class Haan and his companions skillfully worked their way back to the reverse slope of the hill just opposite the proposed bridgehead and sent back their vital information to the Battalion Commander. The Battalion made immediate use of the patrol’s information, proceeding to construct two footbridges and one infantry assault bridge across the Sžre River while Private First Class Haan and his comrades protected the bridgehead on the hostile side of the river. Despite intermittent enemy artillery fire and several strafing attacks by hostile aircraft, the patrol members clung to their position until the bridges had been completed and the river crossing affected without a casualty by the assault infantry elements. As a result of this outstanding patrol action, the Battalion was enabled to cross the Sžre River and establish a bridgehead 1000 yards wide and 1000 yards deep before being discovered by the enemy. Private First Class Haan’s heroic action contributed materially to the success of a major operation in the Battalion’s drive into the flank of the enemy’s Luxembourg salient. His courage under fire and aggressiveness in action against the enemy reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Haan and the armed forces of the United States.