The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Walter L. Wright (ASN: 0-1288342), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Sicily, in July 1943. On the morning of 10 July 1943, while nearing the east of Sicily, the small landing craft in which the 1st Platoon, Company F was loaded, struck a rock and was grounded in water about 10 feet deep. The men aboard the boat began to leave when enemy machine guns and a 47-mm opened fire upon the boat. In swimming ashore, Lieutenant Wright, the platoon leader, heard shouts of men in distress. With no regard for his own personal safety or for the enemy fire, which already had killed one and wounded two others at his side, Second Lieutenant Wright remained in the water and saved Sergeant ***** and Private First Class *****, struggling in the water and near drowning. He brought both these men safely to shore. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Wright, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.