The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Private] Joseph P. Holmes (ASN: 33848472), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ***, France, on 8 December 1944. When fire from a well dug-in enemy machine gun was directed against an infantry unit engaged in making an assault crossing of the **** River, Sergeant Holmes, a member of a mortar section accompanied by another member of the section , voluntarily crawled to within 25 yards of the enemy emplacement and directed such intense fire upon the enemy that the machine gun crew surrendered. A short while later another enemy machine gun opened fire from about the same position, and Sergeant Holmes and his companion again moved forward under fire and engaged the enemy crew in a fire fight during the course of which a German officer was wounded, and the second enemy machine gun crew surrendered. Sergeant Holmes’ gallantry contributed immeasurably to the success of the river crossing and to the occupation of the village of **** with minimum casualties. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.