Mike P. Cokinos

Brigadier General, U. S. Army

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 8th Armored Division, General Orders No. 8 (March 13, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Mike P. Cokinos (ASN: 0-1185167), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Battery A, 398th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 26 January 1945.
Assigned as Forward Observer, Lieutenant Cokinos successfully directed artillery fire for a period in excess of fifty hours, despite hostile artillery, mortar and small arms fire. He located an aid station and brought up aid men and litters to evacuate the wounded.
When the Infantry Battalion Commander was wounded by mortar fire, he administered first aid and covered the fallen officer with his own body, using his own helmet to protect the commander's face until the mortar barrage slackened. This gallantry was above the call of duty and reflects great credit upon himself and the Military Forces of the United States.