The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fourth Grade Emphermenio L. Hurtado (ASN: 38006432), United States Army, for gallantry in action during the invasion of Gela, Sicily, on 10 July 1943. While advancing on two enemy gun positions the first three men of his section were forced to take cover when their weapons jammed due to salt water and sand. Without waiting for these men, Technician Fourth Class Hurtado continued to advance under fire from both of these positions, and by throwing hand grenades into the positions caused both to cease fire. Technician Fourth Class Hurtado’s coolness and skill in advancing under cross-fire from these guns was an inspiration to the rest of the men of his company and his action made it possible for his company to advance without serious loss, on the enemy positions which were originally covered by these machine guns.