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 Corporal [the Private] Donald Shiro Hayashi (ASN: 30101659), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, on 20 October 1943, near Leonardo, Italy. When his squad leader was wounded during a severe enemy counter-attack, Corporal Hayashi on his own initiative took command of the squad. The squad, pinned down by heavy enemy artillery, mortar and machine-gun fire, had suffered heavy casualties, and the order came to withdraw. There being several men so severely wounded that immediate removal was impossible, Corporal Hayashi with utter disregard for his own personal safety, stayed behind administering first-aid and holding the position single-handed. For over an hour and forty minutes he fired his rifle at the enemy and held the advanced position until all the wounded were safely evacuated by litter squads. Corporal Hayashi’s courage and initiative in the face of grave danger helped save the lives of several of his comrades and was a credit to the Armed Forces of the United States.