The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Albert T. Gerritsen, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 133d Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division, on 4 November 1943 at Santa Maria Oliveto, Italy. In a desperate defensive stand against a heavy enemy attack, he was at the fore of a squad of men, helping and inspiring them to hold against the greatly superior enemy force. He maintained constant contact among the men throughout the night. The next morning, as the Germans launched their attack on the defenders, he quickly moved from spot to spot, wherever the fight was heaviest, to face the enemy attackers. Later, going down the mountain through a heavy barrage of mortar shells, machine gun, and artillery fire, he and two other men obtained a machine gun and a 60-mm. mortar and returned with their clothing loaded with ammunition and grenades. Using the mortar to break up gatherings of the enemy force, he then took up the machine gun and, always making for the hottest spot of the fighting, provided a constant source of strength in the desperate defense. Through his courage, daring, and indomitable fighting spirit, demonstrated in his heroic actions in meeting the overwhelming enemy attack, Sergeant Gerritsen did much to aid in holding this important break in the German Barbara Line in Italy.