The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Noel Mayo Whealton (ASN: 7082768), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 10 July 1943, five miles west of ****, Sicily. Corporal Whealton, Squad Leader of a Light Machine Gun Squad, Company G, 3d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, with his gunner Private and Assistant Gunner Private moved across open terrain and through a relatively open vineyard in the face of heavy rifle and machine gun fire to a tactical machine gun position, placed machine gun fire on an enemy machine gun nest destroying it and allowing his unit to advance. Corporal Whealton moved his gun forward again through heavy rifle and machine gun fire to place fire on an enemy prime mover preventing it from displacing an artillery field piece to the rear. Corporal Whealton and his men held this position in spite of intense fire from Mark ** and Mark ** tanks until he and his men were killed. 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.