The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Zenus E. Neal (ASN: 6295152), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with a Field Artillery Battalion on 21 November 1943 in the vicinity of Mount Rotunda, Italy, and on 9 December 1943 in the vicinity of Mount Maggiore, Italy. On these dates Sergeant Neal was a member of forward observation parties and on both occasions all troops in the area were pinned down by enemy fire. On 21 November Sergeant Neal laid wire across several hundred yards of open terrain to establish communications with the result that fire was adjusted on the enemy observer directing the shelling and our infantry was materially aided in its advance. On 9 December he again exposed himself voluntarily to lay wire to an observation post so that fire could be adjusted on the enemy who had our infantry pinned down by artillery fire. The courage, initiative and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Neal in the performance of these deeds are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.