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 Hosea Chastain (ASN: 34883203), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 90th Infantry Division in the European Theater of Operations. On 17 June 1944, a patrol, of which Private First Class Chastain was a member had been ambushed and pinned down by machine gun fire and ordered to withdraw. Private First Class Chastain, despite wounds in his abdomen and arm and without regard for his own safety, remained alone in an exposed position and threw grenades at the advancing enemy to cover the withdrawal of his squad before seeking to escape himself. His courage, initiative and spirit of self-sacrifice were exemplary and in accordance with the highest military traditions.