The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Koichi Takemoto (ASN: 30100442), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, in action against the enemy on 22 October 1944, near Biffontaine, France. Sergeant Takemoto, realizing the impossibility of firing his mortar from the thickly wooded area behind the company, led his mortar squad to the right flank of the riflemen. Unable to find a suitable OP in the immediate vicinity, he crawled forward under intense enemy mortar, artillery and small arms fire to a point 175 yards ahead of the leading element of the company and established his OP in a house. From this point he directed the laying of a mortar barrage that completely routed two enemy columns that were threatening to cut the battalion in two, killing or wounding approximately 30 enemy troops. 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.