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 [then Corporal] Joseph Y. Ierardi (ASN: 31041339), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 37th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, 37th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, during World War II. Corporal Ierardi was commanding a light tank during an advance in the vicinity of Angeles on 20 January 1945 when it hit an enemy land mine which critically wounded the assistant driver and disabled the vehicle. The Japanese then started to attack the tank, but Corporal Ierardi coolly took a position in the vehicle’s turret and repulsed the assault with hand grenades, killing at least seven enemy soldiers. A short time latex Corporal Ierardi again courageously exposed himself to the continual Japanese fire in order to extricate his wounded assistant driver from the tank and carry him to a nearby half-track vehicle for evacuation. 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.