Cyrus J. Scarpulla

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Cyrus J. Scarpulla (32116988), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. On 11 August 1943, in the vicinity of Randazzo, Sicily, at a time when the battalion command post was dependent entirely upon foot messengers for communications between units, Private First Class Scarpulla volunteered to deliver a vitally important message to the battalion commander. The location of the command post was uncertain and the area through which he had to travel was being heavily shelled by enemy artillery and mortars. With determination uppermost in his mind, Private First Class Scarpulla reached the command post and delivered the message. His personal courage, devotion to duty and refusal to turn back without completing his task exemplifies the highest traditions of the Military Service.