The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Bartholomew P. Miracolo (ASN: 32872211), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 9 January 1945. During an attack on an enemy strongpoint situated in a schoolhouse, the squad leader of Private Miracolo was seriously wounded by enemy rifle fire. The schoolhouse was located in the middle of a flat plot of land, and the Japanese had excellent observation of the surrounding rice fields. Private Miracolo and a fellow soldier crawled to the wounded sergeant and dragged him 75 yards to safety, although their path was completely devoid of cover and they were constantly under extremely heavy machine gun and rifle fire. Reaching a defiladed area, they left the wounded man with company aid men, and returned to take part in the capture of the strongpoint. Their high courage and unselfishness was directly responsible for saving the life of their wounded sergeant. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.