The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Louis A. DeFillipo (ASN: 0-2000546), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company I, 13th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 18 January 1945 in the vicinity of *****, Germany. Lieutenant DeFillipo led a night patrol into enemy lines to destroy enemy installations. Carefully working its way past strong enemy outposts and through barbed wire entanglements the patrol reached a building occupied by German troops. Lieutenant DeFillipo, accompanied by three men, burst into the house and killed five German soldiers and two officers. Attempting to capture the remaining soldier, Lieutenant DeFillipo engaged him in a hand-to-hand struggle until he discovered the enemy was armed with a knife, whereupon he knocked him back into the room. Returning to his patrol Lieutenant DeFillipo calmly reorganized his men in the face of an aroused enemy, set the house on fire with rocket fire and led the patrol safely to his own lines. His skillful leadership and outstanding personal courage were a source of constant inspiration to his men.