The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Corporal] Enrique Mariani (ASN: 32193241), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with an Armored unit in France on 27 July 1944. As his tank reached its objective, Sergeant Mariani observed the tank to his rear hit and burst in to flames. Without regard for his own safety, he dashed across an open field under heavy small arms and artillery fire to the burning vehicle. There, despite exploding ammunition, he succeeded in removing two seriously wounded men and moving them to safety. His courage and devotion to duty without regard for his own safety reflects great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.