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 [then Corporal] John L. Massimino, United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B. 192d Tank Battalion, Provisional Tank Group, in action against the enemy in the Sayasen-Anyasen area on the West Coast of Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 7 February 1942. During desperate combat actions against a fanatical enemy, in a heavily timbered and dense jungle area, he unflinchingly faced heavy enemy fire with determined effort to extricate comrades from an immobilized tank. Repeatedly returning to the stranded tanks with total disregard for his personal safety, he was instrumental in evacuating the surviving crew members, including his unit commander who was mortally wounded while being evacuated. Sergeant Massimino’s courageous actions, tenacity, and selfless devotion to duty reflect great credit on himself and the military service.