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 Takashi R. Okamoto (ASN: 39230749), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, 92d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 20 April 1945, in Italy. Under cover of darkness, a platoon advanced under heavy enemy machine gun fire and reached a commanding knoll overlooking a town which was to be the company objective. The platoon dug in on a ridge in a defensive arc and shortly before dawn the foe opened up with an intense mortar and artillery barrage followed by a series of counterattacks against the left flank positions. The nature of the terrain was such that the enemy could approach to within 20 yards of the platoon without detection. Private First Class Okamoto, who was centrally located in the defensive arc, stood up in his foxhole to observe the routes of approach, calling out the direction and strength of each hostile thrust. For more than 3 hours, the foe assaulted with small arms, machine gun, grenade, mortar and rifle grenade fire but was repulsed each time with heavy losses. Private First Class Okamoto was a major target for most of the small arms fire and was wounded in several places by mortar and grenade fragments. One bullet passed thru his helmet above the right ear, but he continued to expose himself to efficiently conduct the defense. With his BAR, he accounted for three enemy dead and several wounded until the foe gave up. His courageous determination exemplifies the highest traditions of the American Soldier.