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 Alex J. Vargo, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with a military operation against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 386th Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division. While engaged in an assault on the town of Felderhof, Germany, on 9 April 1945, Staff Sergeant Vargo voluntarily left a position of comparative safety and fearlessly moved down a fire-swept street. With heavy enemy fire falling all about him, Staff Sergeant Vargo, firing a rocket launcher, destroyed an enemy machine gun and a 20-mm. flak gun. His gallant action permitted the rapid capture of the town and reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.