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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Staff Sergeant Joseph M. Brown (ASN: 39600293), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a member of the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action in Italy during the period from 15 February to 4 June 1944. As volunteer reconnaissance sergeant of the regimental battle patrol, Staff Sergeant Brown led every reconnaissance mission engaged in by his unit. His intelligence, daring, and ability to read and plot enemy positions on maps accounted for much of the success of combat patrols acting upon the information he gathered. On one occasion he remained inside enemy territory for two night sand one day, observing and noting enemy position. He plotted these positions so accurately that our artillery had little difficulty in destroying the enemy guns and in inflicting heavy losses upon the enemy troops he observed. His courage in maneuvering behind enemy lines and his intelligent and accurate acquisition of knowledge respecting enemy strongpoints enabled combat patrols to venture into enemy lines without undue surprise to themselves. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Brown and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Regiment:

    15th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    August 15, 1944
    Headquarters, SEVENTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 10 (January 15, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Joseph M. Brown (ASN: 39600293), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at San Tropez, France, on 15 August 1944. Sergeant Brown charged a strong enemy position consisting of five sand-bagged and log-covered machine gun emplacements manned with four machine guns and small arms. Although unexpected enemy fire confused his men, Sergeant Brown quickly ascertained that it came from a knoll to their front and led his men in flanking the position, bringing them into firing position 25 yards from the enemy. For 30 minutes he directed his men in a fire fight, exposing himself constantly to the intense fire of three machine guns and small arms which clipped the bushes around him as he made his way among his men. Realizing that no results were being obtained, he decided to make a one-man assault despite the overwhelming odds against its success. Armed with his rifle and some hand grenades, he charged toward the enemy. They hastily threw a hail of machine gun and small arms fire at him as he zig-zagged forward. After covering 150 yards, he paused to get his bearings and then made a 100-yard dash up the knoll to the nearest of the emplacements. As bullets splattered about him, he quickly hurried a hand grenade through the fire opening and dashed 30 yards to the side door of the second emplacement. Leaning against the door, he waved a hand grenade and persuaded the occupants into surrendering, capturing an enemy officer and two enlisted men. Prodding in the officer in the back with his rifle, Sergeant Brown forced the surrender of the entire enemy position, accounting for one enemy killed, ten enlisted men and one officer captured, in addition to demolishing the four machine guns and a large radio. Staff Sergeant Brown’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, the 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.