The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Norman M. Tellefsen (ASN: 16153117), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 23 July 1915, while on patrol near Mount Kaingan, Luzon, Philippine Islands. Sergeant Tellefsen and his men were fired upon by enemy forces and one man fell, seriously wounded. After ordering his patrol to take cover, Sergeant Tellefsen moved toward the ambush. Spotting two enemy riflemen, he threw a grenade and killed both of them. Again moving forward, he discovered a machine gun nest. Opening up with his rifle and throwing two more grenades, he killed two additional Japanese and silenced their gun. Sergeant Tellefsen returned to pick up the wounded man. As he moved down a trail, carrying the wounded man on his shoulder, a Japanese sniper jumped out on the trail behind him. With his one free hand, Sergeant Tellefsen fired his rifle at the sniper and caused him to take cover. He then continued down the trail, evacuating the wounded man to a place of safety.