The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal [then Private] Earl S. Crimmins, United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 19th Field Artillery Battalion, in action on 24 March 1945, near Trebur, Germany. When enemy infantry and tanks counterattacked the area, Corporal Crimmins, a driver, heedless of the great danger, left his place of cover and moved his vehicle to safety under heavy enemy automatic weapons fire. Returning he manned a machine gun and fired until his ammunition was exhausted. He then continued to fight with his carbine. During a particularly heavy barrage of shell fire, he rushed out to rescue a wounded comrade. Through his untiring efforts, Corporal Crimmins assisted greatly in smashing the enemy counterattack.