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 Joe M. Nishimoto (ASN: 35229917), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 442d Infantry Regiment, in action against the enemy near Mantignano, Italy on 31 August 1944. As a member of a patrol instructed to make a bold daylight crossing of the Arno River to clear an area for occupation by his company, Private First Class Nishimoto as the first soldier to cross the river exposed himself to the enemy for 200 yards, and immediately covered the crossing of the balance of the patrol. While in the process of clearing the area, Private First Class Nishimoto on four different occasions located trip wires attached to anti-personnel mines and booby traps and guided the patrol over a safe route through the heavily mined area. When an enemy machine gun opened fire, he circled to the left, climbed a 20 foot embankment directly above the position and threw a grenade killing an officer. Despite the fact that a concussion grenade landed directly in front of him and failed to explode, he crawled to within 15 yards of the enemy and threw another grenade, badly wounding two men and forcing three others to surrender. Considerable ammunition and weapons including a transmitting and receiving set which was being used to direct enemy artillery were captured. Private First Class Nishimoto’s skill and ability and his courage in the face of gravest danger contributed greatly to the successful accomplishment of the mission and his actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Army of the United States.