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] Peter J. Borcuk (ASN: 0-1319171), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 28 April 1945, near Navine, Italy. When fanatically resisting enemy forces, protecting several road tunnels on the shores of a lake flanked by precipitous mountains, had held up the advance of a battalion for some time, and inflicted heavy casualties by direct fire artillery pieces, anti-aircraft guns, and small arms fire, Captain Borcuk was ordered to make an amphibious landing with his company in the rear of the hostile force. Loading his men into several amphibious trucks, he led them through a deadly hail of fire to successfully capture a beachhead and the adjacent road. By his careful and skillful planning, and his gallant leadership during the difficult operation, he enabled the capture of many tunnels intact and allowed the advance to continue into several important towns. Seventy-six prisoners were captured, and numerous casualties inflicted on the enemy, with little loss to his company. Captain Borcuk, for his splendid organization and execution of such a dangerous assault, and for his heroism during the fight, has well earned undying fame in the finest traditions of the United States Army.