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 Paul J. Danko (ASN: 19039141), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 14 April 1945, near Torre Iussi, Italy. When an attacking infantry platoon had bypassed a group of buildings and were proceeding on with the advance, the enemy opened sniper and machinegun fire from two of the buildings, inflicting heavy casualties on the platoon and pinning them down. Staff Sergeant Danko, the platoon guide, took three men and began crawling toward the buildings, purposely exposing himself to draw fire away form the platoon. Edging his way to within thirty feet of the house, he directed his three comrades to cover him while he dashed across the intervening area and threw two grenades into the first house, silencing the enemy guns emplaced there. He then rushed on to the next house, again repeating his act, to clear the remaining resistance in the area. His gallant and aggressive actions enabled the platoon to resume their advance and quickly take their objective. Such splendid heroism and inspiring leadership have proven Staff Sergeant Danko worthy of the finest traditions of the United States Army.