Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Division:

    32d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 21, 1945

    Headquarters, 32d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 341 (1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Reno J. Bernardi (ASN: 39051721), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 32d Infantry Division, in action near the Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 21 May 1945. The platoon of which Sergeant Bernardi was a member was assigned the mission of neutralizing enemy cave fortifications. Realizing that the heavy volume of enemy machine gun and rifle fire issuing from these emplacements was seriously hampering the platoon’s advance, Sergeant Bernardi and another enlisted man, armed with hand grenades and explosive charges, advanced toward the enemy positions over terrain dangerously exposed to heavy enemy fire. Using smoke grenades to conceal their movements, they succeeded in destroying three enemy installations with explosive charges. Later investigation revealed that one of these caves was the command post of Major Sampei, commanding officer of the enemy forces opposing the advance of our troops. Sergeant Bernardi’s extreme devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.