The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Joseph A. Conlin (ASN: 12100638), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 23 January 1945, in the vicinity of Mittelwihr, France. When the platoon of which Private First Class Conlin was a member received heavy small arms fire, he held his position, offering covering fire while his squad withdrew to more favorable positions. Then, locating the enemy machine gun, he crawled over the snow, under the heavy fire, to within grenade throwing distance of the position. Hurling several grenades, he killed two enemy. When the platoon later was able to assault the position, no trace of Private First Class Conlin was found. The gallantry and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Private First Class Conlin reflects the highest credit upon himself and upon the Armed Forces of the United States.