The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Sebastian J. Cardella (ASN: 31345306), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 24 February 1945, in the vicinity of Kleinblittersdorf, Germany. Private First Class Cardella, member of an attacking force, encountered intense enemy machine gun and mortar fire. Being unable to advance, the squad began hastily to dig in positions. While so doing, Private First Class Cardella observed a member of his squad wounded, and with utter disregard for his personal safety, crawled forward to administer first aid. He then continued, with another member of the squad, to advance to the enemy machine gun position, killing the machine gunner and assistant gunner and driving away two others who were delivering automatic small arms fire on his squad. His action saved a fellow soldier from probable death, and enabled the squad to continue its mission and to take its objective. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.