The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Ezequiel Chacon, Jr. (ASN: 38441802), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 362d Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 19 September 1944, near Gagliano, Italy. After hard fighting, Private First Class Chacon’s company had captured a portion of Hill 821, but the enemy still held the higher slopes. First to volunteer to advance against the rest of the enemy, Private First Class Chacon led a patrol through a hail of small arms and mortar fire. When the patrol momentarily hesitated in their advance, he encouraged his men and placed them into firing positions. He then moved on alone, killed one German, wounded another and demoralized the enemy so completely that the men of the patrol jumped from their positions and, following his lead, cleared the way for the capture of the hill. In leading his men, Private first Class Chacon was mortally wounded. His gallant leadership and unselfish sacrifice bring honor to himself, and to the Army of the United States.