Joseph Olin Van Osdol, Jr.
Private First Class, U.S. Army

Van Osdol entered the U.S. Army on 17 August 1943 and received his training at Camp Adair, OR. He deployed with his unit to North Africa in April 1944 and then to Italy in June 1944.

On 17 July 1944, then-Private First Class Joseph Olin Van Osdol, Jr. was serving with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 362nd Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, Fifth U.S. Army.

On that day, PFC Van Osdol’s unit was in action against German forces in Italy during the battles for Rome and the Arno River. PFC Van Osdol volunteered to carry and operate the radio set when E Company's radio operator became a casualty. Seeing a wounded comrade, PFC Van Osdol helped the man to the aid station, returned through the barrage and continued the duties of a radio operator. Learning that his radio set did not function properly in the company command post, PFC Van Osdol set up the radio in a position exposed to heavy shell fire. Although shells were bursting close to him, PFC Van Osdol calmly remained at his post. When leading elements of E Company were halted by German fire later that day, PFC Van Osdol accompanied his commanding officer 200 yards across an area swept by fire from 2 machine guns. Seeing a wounded soldier buried in a building destroyed by artillery fire, for the 2nd time that day PFC Van Osdol removed the man and assisted him in obtaining treatment. As the fight progressed, PFC Van Osdol volunteered to go forward, under intense fire, to provide a rifle platoon leader with direct communication to the mortar platoon. As PFC Van Osdol progressed, a bullet punctured his canteen and 2 other bullets penetrated the radio on his back. Upon arrival at the forward position, PFC Van Osdol placed his radio in a small ditch and bravely exposed himself as he operated the radio in the thick of the fight. Throughout the day, PFC Van Osdol remained exposed to heavy fire to provide Company E with a means of coordination and control. PFC Van Osdol’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 1 August 1944, PFC Van Osdol was killed in action in Italy.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

He was also awarded the Italian Cross of Military Valor.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Joseph O. Van Osdol (ASN: 37620533), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 362d Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 17 July 1944. Private First Class Van Osdol's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 91st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 175 (1944)

Burial

Private First Class Joseph Olin Van Osdol, Jr. is buried at the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial in Florence, Città Metropolitana di Firenze, Toscana, Italy, in Plot H, Row 7, Grave 4.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56367147/joseph-olin-van_osdol