The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Joseph George Esser (ASN: 0-436238), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy while serving as a chaplain with an Infantry Battalion of the 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Seves, France, on 23 July 1944. His battalion was ordered to take the Island of Seves on 23 July. The attack jumped off as scheduled, but was met with withering mortar, artillery, and small arms fire. The casualties were so heavy that the battalion became disorganized, and the objective was not reached in strength enough to capture it and hold it. During the attack on an island, intense enemy mortar, artillery, and small arms fire resulted in many casualties. In the flat space on the approach to the island all casualties could not be reached, due to heavy machine gun and small arms fire, and the battalion was at a loss as to how to retrieve the wounded. Chaplain Esser volunteered to attempt to contact the enemy for a short cessation of fire, during which time he would be able to rescue the wounded. He, with Chaplain Edgar Stohler, walked straight into the German positions, completely disregarding the danger, in spite of the fact that he had been cautioned that it was practically a suicide mission. He was received by a German officer and arrangements were made to evacuate the American wounded. This took place only a few minutes before a scheduled bombing mission went into action over the spot where the Chaplain was negotiating with the German officer, an attack Chaplain Esser was aware was planned. On his return, after the wounded had been evacuated, he was strafed by our own planes. His gallantry inspired all who witnessed it and was in accordance with high military tradition.