The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Rafael Calva, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Italy, on 29 February 1944. Alone on outpost duty at a house in Italy, Private Calva drove off a fighting patrol of sixteen Germans, killing three of them. Discovering the enemy platoon advancing through the mist to capture the house, he opened fire until his rifle jammed. Then he flung hand grenades. Needing more ammunition when his ran out, he ran through enemy fire and grenade fragments into the house, where he got another rifle and continued his single-handed fight until the surviving Germans were beaten and withdrew. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private Calva, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.