The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade Roy E. Bast (ASN: 34785315), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the *** Engineer Combat Battalion, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 7 February 1945, in Luxembourg. Technician Fifth Grade Bast was a boat crewman assigned the mission of crossing an infantry assault team to the far shore of the Sauer River. He successfully crossed the Infantrymen although two of his engineer crewmen were wounded by enemy fire. On the far shore he waded shoulder deep into the icy water and by personal strength alone pulled another assault boat, loaded with infantrymen, onto the river bank although he himself was wounded by shrapnel. His marked bravery, daring, and outstanding devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.