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 Gerhard F. Eggert (ASN: 39140467), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 77th Infantry Division on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 7 May 1945. About 0500, near Kochi, Company E, *** Infantry, received a strong enemy counter-attack by a reinforced company. Private Eggert, who was on the left flank, seeing the enemy approach within very close range, held his fire until they were almost on top of his foxhole. The suddenness of his rifle fire caught the enemy completely by surprise and disorganized their efforts. Disregarding his own safety and taking advantage of the enemy’s confusion he left his foxhole and ran forward to take up a better position. With grenades he accounted for two machine guns and a mortar crew. After the enemy had been annihilated, eleven dead Japanese were counted around Private Eggert’s foxhole. The three weapons had been destroyed. His courage, aggressiveness, and initiative were in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and were an inspiration to the men of his company.