the 18th's 3rd Battalion at the El Keddah Ridge (Hill 336), and were also approaching the rear of the 1st Battalion. Nearly also pushed to retreat by approaching panzers and infantry around this same time were soldiers assigned to the 32nd Field Artillery's Battery A who, at 1737 hours, were ordered, to hold their position at all cost. Also around the same time, Burlazzi and other members from K Company in the "Big Red One" (1st Infantry) were fighting to protect another hill on the U.S. Army's southern flank. Facing a German halftrack advance and running low on ammunition, they took up defensive positions behind rocks, and began firing down from their high ground. Shortly thereafter, Burlazzi and private first class Raymond F. Villeneuve volunteered to seize and wield an abandoned M1917 machine gun. "Creeping and crawling under heavy artillery, grenades, and small-arms fire, the two privates finally obtained the gun, and placed it in action," according to the citation for valor they later received. But, just as they were gaining the advantage militarily, Burlazzi and Villeneuve were hit by a barrage from a U.S. artillery battery that mistakenly fired on their position after having been given incorrect firing coordinates. Hit in the face and blinded, Villeneuve survived; however, Burlazzi and 36 others were killed. In recognition of his bravery, Joseph Burlazzi was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, which was accepted on his behalf by his brother, Guido. Describing Joseph Burlazzi's final act of valor, Brigadier General E. L. Ford wrote: Burlazzi's grave is located in section H, plot 9611 at the Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, New York. Citation The following is a synopsis of Burlazzi's citation: References External links "Joseph L. Burlazzi" (memorial with photos of military headstone). Salt Lake City, Utah: Find A Grave, retrieved online February 23, 2019. 1912 births 1943 deaths United States Army personnel killed in World War II People from Clearfield County, Pennsylvania Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) United States Army soldiers