Joseph T. Angelo (16 February, 1896 – 23 July, 1978) was an American veteran of World War I and recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross.

[1] Angelo was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Meuse–Argonne offensive on September 26, 1918, as the Colonel's orderly (batman) with 304th Tank Brigade, commanded by future General George S. Patton During the battle, in an exposed position Patton was seriously wounded by a machine gun.

Showing great courage under enemy fire, Angelo dragged Patton to safety.

The citation for his DSC reads: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private First Class Joseph T. Angelo (ASN: 243496), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, Tank Corps, A.E.F., near Cheppy, France, 26 September 1918.

Within 40 meters of the German machine guns, Private Angelo carried his wounded commanding officer into a shell hole and remained with him under continuous shell fire for over an hour, except when he twice carried orders to passing tanks.

According to the interviewer, Angelo began "blushing furiously" as he related the following details: [W]e went over the top at 6:30 in the morning.

The Germans were sending across a heavy artillery fire, but finally we got the tangs [sic—tanks] moving and took them over the hill.

When I told him the infantrymen had been killed by machine guns he ordered me to accompany him, declaring he would clear them out.

Two hours later the Colonel revived and ordered me to go to Major [Sereno] Brett and instruct him to assume command of the tank corps [sic—304th Brigade].

A few moments later the Colonel, with three tanks, one French and two American, camped about twenty yards from the shellhole.

The colonel then ordered me to get out on top of our shellhole and prevent any oncoming tanks from getting below us, the fire from the enemy being terribly heavy.

[3]In 1932, while Patton continued his path on his famous military career, Angelo had returned to civilian life.

The particular issue was that these veterans had been promised compensation but they were not due to receive it until 1948 (the money was eventually awarded in 1936).

Given the realities of the depression, veterans such as Angelo demanded the money be paid immediately.

The veterans marched on Washington D.C., setting up camps in order to protest against the administration of President Herbert Hoover.

The commanders of the operation included Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Patton, the man saved by Angelo so many years before.