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 Victor D. Aponte (ASN: 20350094), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against the enemy on 29 December 1944, near ****, Belgium. Sergeant Aponte, commanding a platoon after its leader had been wounded and evacuated, single-handedly charged and knocked out an enemy machine gun nest, killing its occupants with hand grenades. He continued on to kill an enemy automatic rifleman who was in a foxhole firing on the platoon. Through his aggressive action, Sergeant Aponte instilled confidence into his widely dispersed platoon. When the enemy counterattacked, he ordered all men to dig in and fire only on his orders. These he gave from an exposed position from which he could exercise full control. Seventy enemy were killed by his leadership, of which he personally killed sixteen. Through his actions, the counterattack was repelled. The daring actions of Sergeant Aponte were an inspiration to all under his command and in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.