The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Joseph Sawicki (ASN: 16109468), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 16 January 1945 in France. When he had emplaced his squad in defensive positions on the objective to await the arrival of the remainder of his unit, Sergeant Sawicki and his men encountered intense enemy fire and machine gun fire from a dugout about seventy-five yards away. Exposing himself to murderous fire, Sergeant Sawicki unhesitatingly crawled to a better position from which he fired rifle grenades into the trench, forcing the enemy out into the open. His action made the enemy soldiers, fleeing in disorder, easy targets for his men, who killed three and captured five. The daring courage displayed by Sergeant Sawicki reflects highest credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.