The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Mitsuo David Tsuruda (ASN: 0-2039514), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, in action against the enemy near Biffontaine, France, on 6 November 1944. After being subjected to a heavy enemy barrage of artillery and tank guns, Company E was attacked by a strong enemy force before the automatic weapons could be well placed into position. Sensing the desperate situation, Sergeant Tsuruda left his cover and immediately began to place his machine guns at points of greatest vantage, displaying outstanding courage in the face of constant enemy automatic small arms, and rifle grenade fire. When the enemy’s withering fire wiped out a machine gun squad, wounding six men, Sergeant Tsuruda raced for the unmanned gun, assumed the gunner’s position, and delivered such long bursts of accurate fire that the enemy’s attack was halted and broken. Sergeant Tsuruda’s courage in the face of grave personal danger reflects much credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.