The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Joseph J. Boyle (ASN: 32456152), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Technical Sergeant Boyle picked up a light machine gun abandoned by a wounded man and assaulted an enemy ridge line 50 yards away during an attack on a hill near Cleurie, France, on the morning of 2 October 1944. Knocked down once by enemy mortar fire during his up-hill rush, he regained his feet and killed two Germans with a sustained burst of fire. Shooting the machine gun from the hip, he braved direct small arms fire to close on the enemy position, killed two more enemy and forced the remainder to flee. On the objective, he reorganized his men to hold the strategic ground. 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.