Pvt. Michael Valente, Medal of Honor

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Michael Valente, United States Army, 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, while serving with Company D, 107th Infantry, 27th Division. Finding the advance of his organization held up by a withering enemy machinegun fire, Private Valente volunteered to go forward.

With utter disregard of his own personal danger, accompanied by another soldier, Private Valente rushed forward through an intense machinegun fire directly upon the enemy nest, killing two and capturing five 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, Private 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 two and captured 16 German soldiers. Private Valente was later wounded and sent to the rear.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 16 (September 26, 1929)

Action Date: 29-Sep-18

Service: Army

Rank: Private

Company: Company D

Regiment: 107th Infantry

Division: 27th Division

http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2603/valente-michael.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Valente

Born on February 5, 1895, in Cassino, Italy, Valente immigrated to the United States and joined the Army in 1916 from Ogdensburg, New York. By September 29, 1918, he was serving in France as a private with Company D of the 107th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division

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