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 (Field Artillery) Joe A. Smalley (ASN: 0-305756), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the *** Field Artillery Battalion, XII Corps, in action against the enemy on 14 September 1944, in France. Lieutenant Colonel Smalley, by personal aggressive and energetic search for hostile installations and enemy forces, greatly assisted supported troops against enemy forces by conducting the firing of his battalion thereon. On this occasion, while under hostile small arms fire, at great personal risk to himself and with complete disregard of the danger present, he located a hostile position and adjusted artillery fire thereon. He repeatedly and with utter disregard to his own safety ignored hostile small arms fire to obtain the necessary observation for adjusting artillery fire on hostile strong points, artillery and mortars. 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.