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 Fifth Grade Itsuo Morinaka (ASN: 30101378), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman with the with Medical Detachment, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, on 25 and 26 January 1944, in the vicinity of Cassino, Italy. During an attack across the Rapido River, Technician Fifth Grade Morinaka, under heavy concentrations of enemy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire and in an enemy minefield, administered first-aid to all the wounded. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, he treated and evacuated every casualty before seeking cover for himself. On the following night Technician Fifth Grade Morinaka again entered the enemy minefield to go to the aid of four wounded men, and although he himself was wounded by an explosion of an anti-personnel mine and enemy machine gun bullets perforated his clothing, he administered first-aid to these men and directed their evacuation. Technician Fifth Grade Morinaka’s courage and coolness under fire undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades and is a distinct credit to the Armed Forces of the United States.