The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Lawrence F. Salva (ASN: 6846616), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 3d Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 27 December 1944, at ****, Belgium. Corporal Salva, Machine Gunner, distinguished himself on the night of 27 December 1944 during an attack on Company G’s position. Corporal Salva permitted a group of the enemy to approach within 25 yards of his position, then opened up with such devastating fire that seven Germans were killed, and the remainder forced to fall back. Corporal Salva then picked up his gun and under heavy fire moved to an alternate position. He continued doing this until the enemy, advancing within his field of fire, were forced to stop and then retreat. Corporal Salva’s disregard for his personal safety and his coolly calculated fire accounted for numerous enemy dead and wounded, and was responsible for halting the enemy’s drive into his platoon area. His coolness under fire, and his disregard for his own personal safety in his efforts to inflict casualties upon the enemy, reflect great credit on himself and upon the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.