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 Masanori Aoki (ASN: 30101763), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company C, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, on 24 January 1944, in the vicinity of Cassino, Italy. During an attack near Cassino, a heavy enemy barrage scattered the column of one of the attacking companies and inflicted several casualties. Private First Class Aoki, a messenger, although painfully wounded in the head, remained in the area and, in the face of heavy enemy fire, helped to reorganize the scattered column. Then, before seeking medical attention for himself, he administered first-aid to several of his comrades and helped to evacuate several more. Private First Class Aoki’s courageous devotion to duty in the face of grave danger was an inspiration to his comrades and a credit to the Armed Forces of the Untied States.