GENERAL ORDERS - NUMBER 168- 4 June 1953

 

    AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL - By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944 (Sec II, WD Bul 3, 1944), and pursuant to authority in AR 600-45, the Bronze Star Medal with Letter "V" device for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States is awarded to the following named enlisted men: 

  First Lieutenant HARRY MICHELI PIACENTINI, 01915363, Company "G", 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the early morning hours of 16 May 1953, Company "G", holding a defensive position on Outpost "Harry" in the vicinity of Songnae-dong, Korea, was subjected to an intense enemy artillery and mortar barrage prior to an attack by hostile forces. Lieutenant MICHELI PIACENTINI, a platoon leader, immediately directed and encouraged his men in the defense of their position against the intense attack. At the height of the assault, a machine gun in a critical position, became inoperative from the continuous firing. Lieutenant MICHELI PIACENTINI, exposing himself to the enemy artillery, mortar and small arms fire, personally carried a machine gun from an untenable position and set it up in the vital lo9cation of the disabled weapon from which it could be advantageously fired. He then continued to expose himself by moving along the open trenches to check and encourage his men, directing their fire until the enemy was driven off. Lieutenant MICHELI PIACENINI'S outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the Federal service from Puerto Rico.