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 John A. Santo (ASN: 36541832), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 11 April 1945, near ****, Germany. Leading a squad through an unknown mine field, Sergeant Santo proceeded with extreme caution but despite his care a mine was tripped, wounding six men, including himself. Completely ignoring his own wounds, he crawled to each casualty and applied first aid. As soon as the wounded were treated he carried them to safety, although he was fast losing his strength due to shock from his own wounds and loss of blood. Sergeant Santo’s heroic efforts and his devotion to his comrades aided greatly in saving their lives and typifies the spirit of the American Paratrooper.