First Lieutenant Joseph Walsh, United States Army, distinguished himself with exceptional meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as 1^st Platoon Leader, Bravo Company, 2^nd Battalion 506 Infantry Regiment, 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault), RC East Fob Tillman, AR Patkika East, Afghanistan from 23 March 2008 to 20 March 2009 during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VII.

First Lieutenant Walsh demonstrated outstanding leadership presence, exemplarily tactical and technical proficiency as the 1^st Platoon Leader of Bravo Company. He participated in over 50 combat missions including dismounted and mounted patrols under direct and indirect fire. Acting as the leading pathfinder on a high priority mission First Lieutenant Walsh established two hasty HLZ's in the Mana Kandow region where enemy activity is extremely high, and successfully secured and landed multiple UH60 helicopters carrying high priority US officers and other officials. His Platoon was also chosen as the Battalion QRF, during the first mission in Afghanistan. First Lieutenant Walsh aided in the upkeep and manning of OP4 and OP1 which denied insurgents the use of routes along the Afghan border, as well as the establishment of a new Entry Control Point located at Fob Tillman, Patkika. Despite numerous attacks by the insurgency, no loss of American lives has occurred there. His ability to lead, supervise, clear, build, and maintain force protection of two major projects directly reflect his tenacity and prolific leadership for both mission accomplishment and excellence. First Lieutenant Walsh was responsible for and maintained an outstanding equipment readiness rating of 90% in excess of over one million dollars in equipment to include 4 up-armored light wheeled vehicles and 4 MRAPS under the most adverse conditions throughout the deployment. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, this Command, and the United States Army.