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 Captain (Infantry) Joseph B. Scully (ASN: 0-411637), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Company Commander, Company F, 2d Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, on 15 and 24 July 1944 near ****, Normandy, France. Captain Scully commanded Company F in the operations against ****. During the attack on 15 July he successfully, and without a single casualty, led his company to a position past a fallow enemy mine field, where mines had been laid some two years previously and where the field was so overgrown with grass as to make mine detection extremely difficult. In the next field, his company encountered very bitter hostile fire, and the unit suffered heavy casualties, including all if its officers except Captain Scully, who leaped to the top of the near hedgerow and with a challenging battle cry, led his unit in an inspiring advance of seven hundred yards. On 24 July, while his company was engaged in a holding action, he voluntarily led a reconnaissance patrol through hostile fire and obtained valuable information of enemy positions and strength. Although wounded in this activity, after receiving superficial treatment, he returned to his unit to resume outstanding leadership in battle, until he was killed in action on 28 July. The gallantry in action, leadership in battle, and tenacity of purpose of Captain Scully, were an inspiration to the troops under his command, and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.