The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) David Novack (ASN: 0-1298647), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), 34th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 22 April 1944, in the vicinity of Cisterna di Littoria, Italy. An ammunition dump adjacent to a house in which were sheltered two squads of soldiers was burning as a result of enemy artillery fire. Lieutenant Novack, anxious as to the safety of his men, left his place of cover and under the steady enemy barrage crawled approximately 300 yards to the house. Upon his arrival at the house, a phosphorus shell thrown by the enemy spread the ammunition fire and ignited the house itself, but Lieutenant Novack, with no thought for his own personal safety, found an escape which would expose his men to the least possible danger and immediately organized and evacuated them to safety. Then, disregarding the flying shrapnel and shell case fragments, Lieutenant Novack inspected the whole house for any men who might have been wounded and left behind. Lieutenant Novack’s courageous action was directly responsible for the safe evacuation of his men and was in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) David Novack (ASN: 0-1298647), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 100th Battalion, 442d Infantry Regiment, in action against the enemy on 22 October 1944, near Belmont, France. While leading a platoon of five tanks in an effort to establish contact with friendly forces believed to have been encircled by the enemy, Lieutenant Novack, who was riding the lead tank, encountered intense enemy small arms fire from well dug-in positions on both sides of the trail. Although wounded by the initial burst of hostile fire, he courageously remained on top of the tank, spraying the enemy emplacements with his BAR, thus giving his men protective fire while they reloaded their weapons. Lieutenant Novack’s inspiring leadership and fearless determination contributed immeasurably to the subsequent establishment of contact with the isolated forces. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.