The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
VALENTE, MICHAEL
Rank and Organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company
D, 107th Infantry, 27th Division. Place and Date: East of Ronssoy, France, 29
September 1918. Entered Service At: Ogdensburg N.Y. Born: 5 February 1895,
Cassino, Italy. G. O. No.: 16, W.D., i929.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with
the enemy during the operations against the Hindenburg line, east of Ronssoy, France, 29
September 1918. Finding the advance of his organization held up by a withering enemy
machinegun fire, Pvt. Valente volunteered to go forward. With utter disregard of his own
personal danger, accompanied by another soldier, Pvt. Valente rushed forward through an
intense machinegun fire directly upon the enemy nest, killing 2 and capturing 5 of the
enemy and silencing the gun. Discovering another machinegun nest close by which was
pouring a deadly fire on the American forces, preventing their advance, Pvt. Valente and
his companion charged upon this strong point, killing the gunner and putting this
machinegun out of action. Without hesitation they jumped into the enemy's trench, killed 2
and captured 16 German soldiers. Pvt. Valente was later wounded and sent to the rear.
|
