The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Ralph R. Heine (ASN: 37052071), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 6 January 1945, near Ingolsheim, France. When an overwhelming enemy force attacked his company’s outpost, Sergeant Heine was wounded by enemy fire, while covering the withdrawal. Moving back, he came upon the platoon sergeant, who, in an attempt to rescue another wounded man, lay exhausted in the mud of a small creek. Though under intense machine gun and small arms fire from the pressing Germans, Sergeant Heine pulled both the wounded man and Platoon Sergeant out of the mire. In doing this he was again hit by enemy fire, and was reported missing in action. The outstanding courage and unfailing devotion to duty and to his fellowmen exhibited by Sergeant Heine reflect great credit upon himself and the armed services of the United States, and are worthy of the highest praise.