The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Alessandro J. Rotella, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 354th Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Germany, in 1945. Private First Class Rotella and two other men volunteered to eliminate an enemy machine gun nest which was placed in a cellar and was firing directly on troops crossing the Rhine River. Under heavy enemy fire, he crawled 75 yards along a stone wall, rushed into the open, and threw a grenade into the gun position, destroying it and one of the occupants, and capturing the remainder. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Rotella, 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.