Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class [then Private]

    Division:

    36th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 20, 1944

    Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 192 (1944)

    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 [then Private] Serafino DiRuscio, United States Army, for gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 36th Infantry Division in Italy, on 20 January 1944. While advancing with his mortar squad along a draw toward a strategic river in a proposed assault on enemy positions on the opposite bank, Private First Class Di Ruscio was wounded by shell fragments in a heavy artillery, mortar and nebelwerfer bombardment. In spite of his painful wounds, he crawled about the area, administering first aid to his wounded comrades and pulling them to covered positions, Mustering all his waning strength, he traveled across mine fields, through barbed wire entanglements, under constant enemy artillery fire, to seek aid, and he guided litter bearers back to the draw, assisting them in evacuating the wounded soldiers.