The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Alva L. Cook (ASN: 20423297), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on ** July 1943, one mile southwest of *****, Sicily. Corporal Cook volunteered to accompany an officer and enlisted man on a mission to cut enemy communications and locate hostile machine gun nests. In the performance of this mission, the officer was shot in the chest, and while first aid was being rendered to him, the patrol was overtaken by an enemy truck containing a German officer and four Italian soldiers who attacked with automatic pistols. Corporal Cook and the other enlisted man opened fire, killing the driver. Corporal Cook then approached the truck and threw a grenade into its body, thereby killing the remaining occupants. He displayed initiative and courage of the highest order and did not hesitate against superior force. 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 and the United States Army.