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 Joseph Zaraza (ASN: 36772864), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 12 August 1944, in France. Sergeant Zaraza was serving as a squad leader with an infantry force which had been isolated by ferocious enemy attacks for a considerable period of time. Efforts to supply the group by aeroplane had not been very successful, and many of the supplies which had been dropped fell into enemy-held territory. Sergeant Zaraza with a companion, voluntarily entered enemy territory to try to recover some of the supplies. By creeping and crawling, they advanced deep into the enemy-held area before their presence was discovered. During the firefight which ensued, Sergeant Zaraza and his companion completely destroyed a machine gun nest and killed its crew. Continuing on his dangerous mission, he successfully retrieved from enemy territory sorely needed provisions for his isolated garrison and returned them safely to friendly lines. The gallant devotion to duty shown by Sergeant Zaraza reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.