The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] Leonard J. Lanzilotti, United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company H, 2d Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action on 14 October 1944. During house-to-house combat in Kaiser Wilhelmstrass, Aachen, Germany, Captain Lanzilotti was the leader of an 81-mm. mortar platoon directing fire against an enemy concrete pill box in which approximately 100 enemy soldiers offered staunch resistance. Realizing that unless the enemy strong point were taken many casualties would be sustained and much loss of life would be suffered, Captain Lanzilotti, voluntarily and alone, exposed himself to the enemy and, without concern for his own personal safety, approached the enemy emplacement under a flag of truce in an attempt to induce the enemy to surrender. With considerable effort, he persuaded the enemy to surrender without further resistance. His brave actions while completely uncertain of any possible enemy action to fire upon him while he was in an exposed position, or to take him prisoner and hold them as a hostage, resulted in saving many of the lives of his fellow soldiers, and in the successful accomplishment of the important combat mission of his organization. Captain Lanzilotti’s unselfish heroism and outstanding gallantry are in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army, and reflect distinct credit upon himself and the military service.