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 Akira I. Masaoka (ASN: 39162289), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman with the 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 34th Infantry Division, on 26 June 1944 and 11 July 1944, in the vicinity of Suvereto and Castellina, Italy. When four men of a company mortar squad were severely wounded by a direct hit, Technician Fourth Class Masaoka left his position of cover, crawled forty yards through intense 88-mm. and small arms fire over exposed ground and rendered first aid. Aided by men who were inspired by his exemplary actions, Technician Fourth Grade Masaoka improvised litters and evacuated the wounded through the continuous barrage. On another occasion, Technician Fourth Grade was himself seriously wounded by 24 pieces of 88-mm. shell fragments when he went to the aid of a mortally wounded comrade. The courage and devotion to duty of Technician Fourth Grade Masaoka gained for him the respect and admiration of all the men in his organization.