The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Sergeant] Anthony J. Modica (ASN: 33566736), United States Army, for gallantry in action in northern France while serving with the 90th Infantry Division. On 6 August 1944 on the outskirts of ***, France, while bazooka men in his unit were firing on tanks, Sergeant Modica led a squad of his platoon into a flank position, capturing two men and killing a third. Enemy fire was severe and our own tanks were firing into the hedgerow at the time. After completing this act, Sergeant Modica saw that his platoon leader was pinned down in the field after covering the return of the group. Sergeant Modica hastily organized a firing line and delivered fire in sufficient quantity to enable his platoon leader to return to his lines. Later in the evening, Sergeant Modica led a patrol through an area covered by enemy machine gun fire which became so intense that the patrol was forced to seek cover. Seeing two men were not accounted for he immediately went out alone under enemy fire and located and returned the missing men to our lines. His gallant act was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.