Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Regiment:

    141st Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    36th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 26, 1944

    Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 14 (January 26, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Salvatore A. Seidita (ASN: 32222384), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company M, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action on 26 September 1944 in France. The Mortar Platoon of Company M moved into position on the slope of a hill near an important enemy stronghold. During the night a large hostile force infiltrated through the friendly lines and, at dawn, directed heavy artillery fire on the platoon area. The barrage was followed by harassing fire from tanks, self-propelled weapons and snipers. Corporal Seidita, assigned the mission of stopping the attack with his mortar, refused to take cover and remained dauntlessly in an exposed position with his weapon. He calmly fired missions which completely disorganized the hostile attackers. Almost immediately, a second enemy assault was launched in another sector. Quickly shifting his mortar, Corporal Seidita frustrated the attack with accurate shellfire. Although he was the target for heavy and incessant hostile fire, he calmly adjusted fire on a tank which was charging the friendly positions. He delayed the tank’s advance and enabled the friendly artillery to destroy it. During the afternoon, when the enemy launched a third attack, Corporal Seidita braved heavy shelling to maintain his position and disorganized the assault force with his effective fire.