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 Ralph Y. Tomei (ASN: 30102738), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, in action against the enemy near Biffontaine, France, on 30 October 1944. In a fierce fire fight with the enemy, Sergeant Tomei realized that his heavy machine gun platoon was in desperate need of more ammunition. Though fully aware of the danger of trying to go through the blanket of enemy fire, he left his cover and began to make his way back to the supply depot about one hundred yards behind, alternately crawling and running through the shortest though exposed route to gain time. Upon reaching the supply depot, he quickly gathered a maximum load, and without waiting for the increased intensity of the enemy fire to subside, made his hazardous way back and distributed the ammunition where it was most needed. By his initiative, courage and devotion to duty, Sergeant Tomei enabled his men to drive the enemy from his positions and reflects credit upon himself and the United States Army.