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 Doyle B. Blakely (ASN: 20805632), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Italy, on 31 January 1944. When his platoon became pinned down by intense machine gun fire from an enemy nest hidden in a building to their front, Sergeant Blakely daringly set up his machine gun section in a position from which he could best protect and support an assault against this emplacement. While directing effective fire against this objective, he alertly noticed an enemy soldier emerge from the building. With great daring, Sergeant Blakely made a sudden dash through the hail of machine gun fire and captured the enemy, obtaining from him information of the strength and disposition of the enemy within the next. By his aggressive leadership and magnificent courage, he materially assisted in the destruction of the enemy emplacement, and the capture of 12 more prisoners. He was subsequently killed in another engagement. 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, his unit, and the United States Army.