The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Michael C. Maietta, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 45th Infantry Division, in action on 26 March 1945 in Germany. The tank Sergeant Maietta was driving became mired in a mud hole during an assault on a German strongpoint. An American infantry platoon was temporarily stopped by heavy fire from the enemy position. Sergeant Maietta leaped from his tank, under cover of his crew’s rifles, and attached a tow cable to a nearby stump. Killing two enemy soldiers who tried to stop him, he got back to the tank, maneuvered it out of the hole and brought such effective fire to bear on the enemy position that the infantry was able to advance to 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, his unit, and the United States Army.