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 First Class Richard Makoto Okazaki (ASN: 30101227), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 8 July 1944, in the vicinity of Castellina, Italy. When his company attacked Northward in the vicinity of Castellina, Italy, the enemy counter-attacked with 3 tanks and a company if Infantrymen. Private First Class Okazaki, a bazooka gunner for his unit, was placed on the side of a road with only a shallow ditch to cover our exposed right flank. The Air OP, on spotting these tanks moving up, called for artillery fire which was immediately answered with a heavy barrage near the enemy tanks and also close to Private First Class Okazaki’s position. When the leading tank approached a distance of less than a hundred yards away, Private First Class Okazaki, with utter disregard for his own personal safety and despite the exploding shells and flying fragments, exposed himself, and with deadly accuracy fired his bazooka knocking out the tank with his first round. This caused an explosion within the enemy tank killing all five occupants. Subsequently, the burning tank and the exploding ammunition created a road block, causing the two tanks and Infantrymen following to retreat in a disorganized manner. The courage, coolness and initiative displayed by Private First Class Okazaki was the direct cause for the failure of the enemy counter-attack. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.