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 Hidenobu Edward Pestana (ASN: 30105993), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 92d Infantry Division, on 24 April 1945, in Italy. Sergeant Pestana’s company was ordered to seize and occupy the town of San Terenzo. One platoon passed through the town and made an encircling movement to engage the enemy from the rear. During this movement, the platoon was surprised by a well-concealed enemy machine gun and snipers which inflicted heavy casualties and pinned it down. Disregarding personal risk in this desperate situation Sergeant Pestana crawled 50 yards toward the machine gun, purposely exposing himself now and then to divert hostile fire from his comrades. He successfully reached a point within 15 yards of the emplacement, exposed himself in a kneeling position, and fired his M-1, killing the gunner and silencing the weapon. Then, skillfully working his way under fire, he reached a house from which a sniper had killed his platoon leader and wounded many others. Under the covering fire of his comrades, he approached the house and forced the sniper to surrender with his M-1. Sergeant Pestana’s high aggressiveness reflects great credit on the traditions of the Armed Forces.