The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Joseph Alaica (ASN: 33305033), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division in France, on 28 November 1944, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States. On 28 November 1944, the patrol which Staff Sergeant Alaica led near Oberhomberg, France, received severe machine gun fire from a building which it was approaching. Ordering his men to cover his approach by fire, Staff Sergeant Alaica fought his way into the building, capturing one commissioned and two non-commissioned officers and driving others into the open where the patrol annihilated them. By his audacious actions valuable information was obtained. Staff Sergeant Alaica’s courage, aggressiveness, leadership, and devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the armed forces of the United States.