The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Michael J. Pagliaro (ASN: 36034543), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, France, on 9 and 10 December 1944. Sergeant Pagliaro, a platoon sergeant, with sixteen men left in his platoon, led the first unit in his battalion to take its objective in Germany. He led his platoon, depleted by casualties, in an assault crossing of the **** River, then stormed a hill position, knocked out three enemy machine guns and capturing eighteen Germans. His gallant actions and outstanding performance of difficult missions reflect credit upon his character as a soldier.