Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private First Class

Unit:

Company B, 303rd Engineer Battalion, 78th Infantry Division "Lightning", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

February 20th, 1945

By direction of the President, under the provisions of Army Regulations 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended, the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to Private First Class Alphonse R. Silvestri (31326528), Corps of Engineers, Company B, 303rd Engineer Battalion, for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on 6 February in the vicinity of ... in Germany.

When a road barrier and mine obstacle knocked out a tank and tank destroyer, the infantry was unable to advance. Private First Class Silvestri, a member of an attached engineer detail, voluntarily ran and crawled 300 yards under the artillery barrage to the obstacles. Despite the barrage and small arms fire from two pillboxes, he successfully cleared a gap and permitted the advance to continue. His heroic actions and disregard for his personal safety are in accordance with the highest military traditions.

- Headquarters, 78th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 43 (20 February, 1945).