The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Gabriel R. Martinez (ASN: 0-531211), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 13 November 1944 in France. On that date, Second Lieutenant Martinez, a Platoon Leader, assumed command of a rifle company with the mission of assaulting a strongly fortified village, after all other officers of the company had been evacuated as casualties in a previous engagement. Leading the company over a ridge in full view of the enemy and under heavy mortar, automatic, and small arms fire, he gained entry into the town, personally accounting for 8 of the 85 prisoners captured by the company. The valor, leadership, and sincere devotion to duty exhibited by Second Lieutenant Martinez exemplify the finest traditions of the armed forces of the United States.