Masa Agina

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Masa Agina (30106197), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 92d Infantry Division, on 9 April 1945, in Italy. As a platoon attacked a hill with two squads abreast, Private First Class Agina, the first scout, was well ahead of the rest of the men when he suddenly came upon a pocket of 15 enemy troops supporting an automatic gun emplacement. Assuming a prone position, he signaled for the rest of the platoon to take cover. He then asked for fire to cover him while he crawled 20 yards under enemy fire to within hand grenade throwing distance of the gun position. Exposing himself in a kneeling position, Private First Class Agina threw two grenades at the foe and then charged the position with his submachine gun. He killed seven of the foe, wounded one, and forced the surrender of the remaining seven. His outstanding courage reflects great credit on the Armed Forces of the United States.