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 Cris Sale (ASN: 34235540), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 11 November 1943, about two miles from ****, Italy. Sergeant Sale, an engineer squad leader, led his squad through two hundred yards of German “S” mines while clearing a path for advancing infantrymen, who were attacking prepared positions on Hill 1017. While advancing ahead of his mine detector operators, Sergeant Sale suddenly came upon an enemy machine gun position. Quickly realizing the situation, Sergeant Sale captured the enemy crew, organized his squad and sent word back to the infantry commander. While capturing two other Germans, Sergeant Sale was discovered by the enemy forces occupying the hill. Aware that the friendly infantry was in an exposed position, Sergeant Sale ordered his squad to open fire to cover our forces until they could get into position. Sergeant Sale continued firing until relieved. By his gallant action and rapid decisions, Sergeant Sale captured four, killed and wounded several Germans and contributed greatly to the accomplishment of the battalion mission. His actions were a credit to the United States Airborne Forces.