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 Gale G. Lapham (ASN: 6878036), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Djebel Halfa, Tunisia, on 28 January 1943. Receiving an order to abandon a position from which he and his men had been protecting the withdrawal of a rifle company, Sergeant Lapham seized a .30 caliber machine gun and personally protected this withdrawal. He disposed of three enemy machine gun crews before leaving he position. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.