The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Private First Class] Nicholas L. Palermo (ASN: 33450961), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 19 April 1945, at Furth, Germany. When enemy machine gun cross-fire halted his company’s advance on Furth, Germany, Private Palermo, with utter disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to locate the hostile emplacements. He then directed friendly tanks in destroying the machine gun nests. After crossing the Regnitz River, his company was again pinned down by heavy fire from a road block. Facing the withering barrage, Private Palermo leapt over the road block and engaged seven enemy soldiers in fierce close combat, killing two, wounding two, and capturing three. Disposing of his prisoners, he and another soldier then stormed another hostile machine gun, killing two and wounding three members of its crew. Through his gallant courage and selfless heroism, Private Palermo contributed immeasurably to the rapid capitulation of the city of Furth.