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 [then Private First Class] Salvador Gonzales (ASN: 38542249), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 20 July 1944, in France. Sergeant Gonzales was supporting this advance of an infantry platoon in the capacity of assisting gunner of a light machine gun. When the gunner became a casualty, Sergeant Gonzales took over the weapon. The machine gun was the only automatic weapon supporting the platoon’s attack and the enemy concentrated considerable fire upon his position, which wounded Sergeant Gonzales. Undaunted, as soon as he recovered from the initial shock and with complete disregard for the enemy fire still concentrated on his position, Sergeant Gonzales sprang back to his gun and covered his platoon’s attack to a successful conclusion. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Gonzales, 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.