Joseph Clyde Wessendorff

Captain, U. S. Army

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 5th Army, General Orders No. 4 (January 6, 1945)
CITATION:
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 (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] Joseph C. Wessendorff (ASN: 0-372664), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the FIFTH Army, on 17 September 1944, on Montecelli, Italy.
Captain Wessendorff, Commanding Officer of the reserve company of a battalion which was attacking Montecelli, committed his company to the attack. When the advance became halted by heavy machine gun and small arms fire, he led a platoon in a flanking movement which resulted in the neutralization of two hostile machine guns.
Another machine gun opened fire which stopped his second and third platoons. Captain Wessendorff led the first platoon in an assault to neutralize this emplacement and kill six Germans. When heavy concentrations of artillery and mortar fire and machine gun crossfire threatened to stop the advance of the company, Captain Wessendorff led each of the three platoons, one at a time, through the fire-swept areas.
Encountering elements of adjacent rifle companies which were halted or disorganized by heavy artillery fire, he rallied each unit and added them to his force. Through heavy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire, he led six platoons, one at a time, to the top of Montecelli.
Captain Wessendorff's aggressive leadership and calmness under fire inspired his men to push forward against almost overwhelming odds, and his actions permitted his battalion to complete it's mission. Captain Wessendorff's gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.