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 Roy Burns (ASN: 36874863), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the Philippine Islands, on 11 April 1945. Private First Class Burns’ squad was manning an outpost near Salat when the Japanese launched a night attack against the position. The enemy crawled to within grenade throwing distance and began throwing grenades at the American position. At different times during the attack, five hostile grenades landed in Private First Class Burns’ foxhole. He managed to pick up four and throw them back at the Japanese. However, when the fifth grenade came into his hole he was unable to locate it, and he scrambled from the position. The grenade exploded and destroyed his Browning Automatic Rifle. Private First Class Burns immediately moved to his squad leader’s hole, procured a rifle, returned to his original position and courageously continued the fight. The Japanese were beaten off and left six dead within ten feet of the squad position. Later, on 25 April 1945, near Baguio, Private First Class Burns voluntarily crawled over 200 yards of fire-swept terrain to assist and evacuate a seriously wounded comrade. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Burns, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.