Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Company E, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division "Blood and Fire", U.S. Army (Company E, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division "Blood and Fire", U.S. Army)

By direction of the President, the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Angelo E. Pilla, Captain, Company E, 253rd Infantry Regiment, for extraordinary heroism in action on 4 April 1945 in the vicinity of Untergriesheim, Germany. When his company was hard pressed by an enemy counter attack, Captain Pilla, by his own forceful action and words of encouragement to his men, saw to it that they held their position and repulsed the attack. When the enemy finally weakened, he personally led a counter attack and succeeded in gaining several hundred yards, turning apparent defeat into a brilliant victory. The exemplary courage, fearless leadership and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Pilla, reflects great credit upon himself and the armed forces. Entered the service from Milford, Massachusetts.

Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 585 (6 October 1945).