The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Shiro R. Yamaguchi (ASN: 39379947), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, 92d Infantry Division, on 5 April 1944 in Italy. Corporal Yamaguchi, a squad leader, led his men in an attack on strong enemy positions consisting of bunkers, machine gun nests and trenches, from which enemy riflemen sniped at the attackers. The area was heavily mined. In spite of hostile machine gun fire, he led his men forward, taking cover provided by uneven terrain. When the men had advanced to within 60 yards of a hostile machine gun, Corporal Yamaguchi borrowed six grenades and advanced under fire of his men. The enemy threw grenades at him, but he continued to crawl forward until he was within 20 yards of the gun. One of the foe’s grenades wounded him on the back, but in spite of the wound, he rose and charged the hostile emplacement firing his submachine gun, killing one of the enemy, wounding another, and forcing the rest to flee in disorder. His gallant courage reflects great credit on the Armed Forces of the United States and exemplifies the highest heroism of the American soldier.