Joseph P. Fuller

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Joseph P. Fuller (20725112), Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 16 July 1944, near La Raoulerie, Normandy, France. When his company was held up by heavy enemy machine gun and mortar fire directed from emplacements along its left flank, Technical Sergeant Fuller voluntarily, and acting alone, crawled forward with a telephone to direct artillery fire upon the enemy positions. He drew so near the enemy that he could hear their voices in conversation and it was necessary for him to whisper directions over the telephone in order to prevent discovery. He was in effect directing friendly artillery fire on his own position. The resulting fire was so effective that the enemy positions were broken; ten enemy soldiers ran into the American lines and the remainder withdrew. Technical Sergeant Fuller then proceeded to a nearby tank destroyer and directed its cannon fire on the fleeing enemy. When the supply of shells exhausted, he exposed himself from the turret of the tank destroyer and fired its machine gun at the enemy. Because of the extraordinary heroism of Technical Sergeant Fuller and his disregard for personal safety while directing friendly artillery fire on his own position his company made a successful advance. Technical Sergeant Fuller’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 35th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.