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 Tony Divino (ASN: 39919171), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 23 February 1945. When the advance of his company through a street in Manila was halted by a Japanese position located under a stairway in a building, Private First Class Divino, an automatic rifleman, volunteered to use a new type flame thrower of which he had no previous knowledge, to clear the hostile position. After a few minutes of instruction, he dashed from one doorway to another down a street covered by enemy fire until he reached a position adjacent to the foe’s emplacement. Then, standing strait up and fearlessly exposing himself to the enemy fire, he fired short bursts of flame int o the hostile position and completely silenced it. Later investigation revealed ten Japanese dead in the position neutralized by Private First Class Divino’s courageous action. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Divino, 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.