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 Sylvester T. Snaza (ASN: 37171654), United States Army, for gallantry in action in northern France while serving with the 344th Field Artillery Battalion, 90th Infantry Division. On 6 July 1944, Private First Class Snaza, a lineman of the 344th Field Artillery Battalion, was with a group which had established an observation post on a hill in the vicinity of ***, France and was getting observation important to the operation. The position received very heavy mortar fire and the line back to the batteries was cut about 100 yards east of the OP. Realizing the importance of communication, Private First Class Snaza and one companion made their way rapidly to the zone swept by mortar fire, located the breach in the line and repaired it thereby restoring communication at a critical time. Private First Class Snaza’s gallant action enabled the artillery to silence enemy mortars and permitted the infantry in that zone to resume the advance.