The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Paul A. Alfieri (NSN: 0-184393), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Combat Intelligence Officer during the amphibious invasion of the Island of Sicily in 1943. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Alfieri displayed remarkable energy, skill and initiative in the discovery and procurement of enemy documents and equipment, often under very hazardous conditions while on reconnaissance missions. He thereby made available information of great value for planning and future operations. The resourcefulness and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Alfieri reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Alfieri is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Legion of Merit
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderAction Date:
September 1943 – March 1946
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Paul A. Alfieri (NSN: 0-184393), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Combat Intelligence, Operational Intelligence and General Intelligence Officer on the staff of the Senior United States Naval Liaison Officer, Italy, from September 1943 to March 1946. Lieutenant Commander Alfieri did, by his professional skill, tireless devotion to duty, courage, outstanding linguistic ability, resourcefulness and tact, render invaluable service to the United States Navy in Italy. Lieutenant Commander Alfieri carried out many extremely hazardous and invaluable intelligence missions, which contributed materially to the success of Allied prosecution of the war. Among his outstanding intelligence achievements were service as intelligence liaison officer with the captured Italian Fleet, reconnaissance during the overland advance which led to the capture of the ports of Castellamare di Stabia and Torre Ammunziata; the first Allied Naval Intelligence reconnaissance in the Port of Naples, carried out with assault troops in the face of extreme enemy resistance; assistance in the planning of the Anzio operations and the subsequent landings on the beachhead, during which period he ably assisted in the apprehension of three enemy saboteurs who had landed for the purpose of destroying allied headquarters; discovery of enemy agents who were parachuted in Sardinia and Corsica to create possible revolt among the Italian military personnel; participation in the initial landing with French assault troops at Marini di Camro on the Island of Elba, during which operation he secured information on enemy positions and general intelligence in the face of bitter enemy resistance, gaining secret and valuable technical information from Italian inventors and scientists, and discovery and seizure of part of the secret Mussolini file of correspondence with Hitler. The splendid devotion to duty, outstanding professional ability, courage and resourcefulness displayed by Lieutenant Commander Alfieri during this period were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Commander Alfieri is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)