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 Kuneshigi Maruo (ASN: 30101207), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, in action against the enemy on 26 June 1944, in the vicinity of Belvedere, Italy. In an engagement with an enemy machine gun situated in a house near Belvedere, Sergeant Maruo led half of his squad in routing the position and clearing the building of enemy riflemen. While advancing to the next house, they were again subjected to enemy fire. Sergeant Maruo fired three rounds from his grenade launcher at the building, but the fourth round exploded prematurely and wounded him in the knee. After treating his wound, he rejoined his men and took command. Though suffering from intense pain he courageously led his squad in an assault on the building, which routed the enemy and resulted in the capture of three prisoners. With frim determination Sergeant Maruo led his men on until they had reached their objective. Skillfully placing his men on the objective at vantage points, and certain that the enemy had been routed, he then found his way to an aid station. The courage and leadership Sergeant Maruo displayed while wounded was an inspiration to his comrades and a credit to the Armed Forces of the United States.