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 First Class [then Sergeant] Tony J. Santopietro (ASN: RA-12018600), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company H, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 28 July 1950, when the battalion positions near Yongdong, Korea, were subjected to heavy enemy machine gun and 75-mm. gun fire, Sergeant First Class Santopietro advanced 300 yards forward of the front line rifle troops and established an observation post. Despite the intense hostile fire directed at the position, he continued to adjust the fire of his mortars to destroy five enemy machine guns and inflict a large number of casualties, thereby reducing a threat to the battalion. Sergeant First Class Santopietro’s outstanding courage, military skill and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.