The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Orlen A. Hagen (ASN: 37163757), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands. Private Hagen was a member of an assaulting platoon wresting Japanese forces from strong defensive positions in Manila on 23 February 1945. Upon receiving heavy fire from an enemy strongpoint in a cave, Private Hagen, disregarding his own safety craved forward under the covering fire of two riflemen to a position 20 feet from the opening. Then, after throwing a white phosphorus grenade, he dashed forward under the cover of the smoke to the entrance and threw two fragmentation grenades into the firing slit, killing nine Japanese who were armed with one machine gun and eight rifles. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.