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 Anton J. Ippolite (ASN: 36450929), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 19 February, 1945. While advancing against an enemy-held building, Sergeant Ippolite’s squad was halted by intense fire from an enemy pillbox. Sergeant Ippolite crawled to within a few feet of the emplacement, tossed hand grenades through the narrow firing slits, and silenced the position, allowing the advance to continue. After arriving at the building, his squad leader was wounded, and Sergeant Ippolite assumed command of the unit. Leading his men to the second floor, he aggressively cleared the enemy from room after room with hand grenades and rifle fire. Upon reaching the intersection of the north and south wings of the structure, further advance was halted by hostile machine gun fire from the west wing. Sergeant Ippolite, with distinctive courage, dashed from the south to the north halls, through the intense fire, creating new opportunities for the employment of his men, and enabling his squad to successfully complete its mission. 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.