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 Alvin J. Caprara, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 387th Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division, in action on 9 April 1945, in Germany. After crossing the Sieg River, in Germany, a light machine gun squad was held up by enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire from a small village. Private Caprara, the gunner, realizing the uselessness of continuing to fire from his position, picked up his machine gun, threw the ammunition belt over his shoulder, and voluntarily advanced upon the enemy firing the gun from his hip. Undeterred by the continuing hostile fires, Private Caprara moved bravely into the village and delivered heavy fire into the buildings. This audacious action permitted the other members of the squad to enter the town and clear it of enemy in a very short time. Private Caprara’s gallantry on this occasion reflects high credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.