The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade Peter J Basile (ASN: 35007838), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Medical Detachment, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 4 February, 1945. When the commander of the platoon to which he was attached was seriously wounded by enemy machine gun fire and lay in a completely exposed position in the middle of a road, Corporal Basile, a company aid man volunteered to rescue him. Alternately crawling and running for seventy yards, while under a stream of enemy bullets, Corporal Basile reached the wounded officer, lifted him onto his shoulder and, still under heavy fire, carried him back to the cover of a small ditch, where he paused to administer first aid before carrying him to the Battalion Aid Station. 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 and the United States Army.