The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Eugene Riccio (ASN: 32913649), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 18th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), 40th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 16 December 1944, in Belgium. Upon learning that a soldier was painfully wounded, Private First Class Riccio voluntarily drove his vehicle through intense enemy fire and reached the helpless man. Encountering small arms fire of hostile riflemen on his return trip, Private First Class Riccio broke through the encircling enemy and safely evacuated his wounded passenger to an aid station.