The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Carl E. Maukonen (ASN: 0-1175506), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 230th Field Artillery Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 15 April 1945, in Germany. When two vehicles loaded with four hundred rounds of high explosives were set on fire by hostile artillery fire, they presented a hazard to other vehicles parked in the area. First Lieutenant Maukonen, amid the enemy artillery fire, curtailed the fire on the blazing vehicle until the trucks in the immediate vicinity could be moved. Then noticing that the kitchen truck was burning, he labored unceasingly, despite the danger of enemy shells and exploding shells from the burning ammunition vehicles, until the fire was completely extinguished. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Maukonen, 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.