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 F. Yukish (ASN: 33277082), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 313th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 7 July 1944 in France. When his platoon was pinned down by intense fire from an enemy emplacement, Sergeant Yukish deliberately advanced upon the position in the face of concentrated enemy machine gun fire. Reaching a point near the emplacement, he threw hand grenades and fired his rifle into the enemy position. Despite the fact that a burst of enemy fire tore away part of one of his fingers, Sergeant Yukish continued to throw grenades into the position until the strongpoint was neutralized, thus permitting his platoon to advance. The gallantry and initiative displayed by Sergeant Yukish reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.