The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Samuel M. Sakamoto (ASN: 0-349640), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, in action against the enemy on 22 October 1944, in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France. Lieutenant Sakamoto led his platoon to a knoll overlooking the village of Biffontaine which offered excellent protection to the units fighting in the village. When several of his men were wounded by enemy fire, he personally checked each man and encouraged him. Sensing an attack, Lieutenant Sakamoto with three of his men reconnoitered to the east flank and gained valuable information of the enemy positions. While he and his men were returning one of them, who was fifty yards away, was wounded. In the face of the shelling, Lieutenant Sakamoto rushed to the aid of the wounded man, and when he was twenty yards away was hit by a shell. Lieutenant Sakamoto’s devotion to duty and loyalty to his men in time of need reflect credit upon himself and the United States Army.