The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Joseph Aloysius Kielty, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy as Executive Officer, 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in Italy, on 19 May 1944. When the 3d Battalion was ordered to seize a city in a night attack, Lieutenant Kielty gallantly led a frontal assault on the enemy positions in the face of murderous fire from four machine guns, three machine pistols and 40 riflemen. With two squads organized on the spur of the moment in a skirmish line, this officer led the assault, ignoring the vicious hostile cross-fire which threatened to cut him down. Calling to the enemy to show themselves, running ahead of the troops and urging them to follow him, this courageous officer so inspired his men that they charged the hostile emplacements, yelling and firing, and scattering the enemy in disorder. After five of the enemy had been killed and six captured, Lieutenant Colonel Kielty led his troops in pursuit of those attempting to escape, only stopping when the enemy, fleeing in several half-tracks, disappeared in the night, blowing bridges to cover their retreat. By assuming the initiative among these troops in their first night assault on enemy positions, Lieutenant Colonel; Kielty, by his intrepid leadership, imbued the troops with an indomitable fighting spirit and confidence which assured the success of their courageous assault. The gallant leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Kielty has won the high regard of all who know of his deed and reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service. great credit upon the military service.