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 Fred H. Yamashige (ASN: 30106044), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company D, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, on 22 October 1944, near Biffontaine, France. When the rifle company which his machine gun was supporting entered the town of Biffontaine, France, Sergeant Yamashige fearlessly led his men through intense 20 millimeter gun fire to a building in the town for the purpose of protecting his company’s right flank and rear. After supervising the installation of the machine gun, Sergeant Yamashige, with complete disregard for his own safety, picked up a rifle from a fallen enemy soldier and pursued the fleeing Germans. Despite intense small arms fire, he shot one enemy soldier and wounded two others. Sergeant Yamashige’s courage, initiative and leadership were instrumental in effecting the successful occupation of the town.