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] Samuel R. Dettorre (ASN: 36867600), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 9 February 1945 in Germany. On that date, Sergeant Dettorre was acting as a rifleman in a platoon assigned the mission of clearing the town of Wallendorf, Germany. When an enemy machine gun opened fire from a strong point in a house killing his squad leader and hampering the rest of the platoon, Sergeant Dettorre fearlessly and of his own volition, charged the building with rifle and hand grenades. His attack drove the enemy soldiers into the cellar of the building where he captured two and killed the remainder. With this enemy position destroyed the platoon won its objective. Sergeant Dettorre’s outstanding bravery, leadership, and unselfish devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.