The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Andrew Damato (ASN: 42075870), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 2 April 1945, in the vicinity of Tiefenbach, Germany. When held up by an enemy machine gun firing from the far end of a street, Sergeant Damato purposely exposed himself to the gun to learn its position. Having ascertained this, he advanced toward the gun, running from house to house until he was able to fire on it and destroy it. While returning to his squad, he was wounded by another machine gun firing from a side street. Although so seriously wounded that he could not move, he continued to direct the fire of his men until they were able to destroy it. Sergeant Damato died of wounds resulting from this action in which he displayed an outstanding courage and gallantry in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.