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 Arturo S. DeSantos (ASN: 386765105), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 23 March 1945, in Germany. When the 1st Platoon’s advance against Siegfried Line positions was halted by machine gun fire from a trench, Private First Class DeSantos and a comrade voluntarily moved out on the hazardous mission of destroying the hostile weapon. Undaunted by machine gun bullets striking around them, they crawled to the trench and tossed two hand grenades in, destroying the gun and killing its crew of three. They then jumped into the zigzag trench and threw two more grenades at enemy riflemen in another part of the emplacement. Crawling to one end, they captured a machine gun that had been set up there. As a result of the magnificent courage displayed by Private First Class DeSantos and his comrade in eliminating the hostile weapons, their platoon was able to advance and, after taking 24 prisoners from the trench, assault and seize two pillboxes. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class DeSantos, 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.