The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery), [then Technical Sergeant] Carl D. Strain (ASN: 02015750), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Battery A, 336th Field Artillery Battalion, 87th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 4 March 1945. Lieutenant Strain and his forward observer party were accompanying an infantry company in its attack on Kirschenbach, Germany. When the company commander was injured early in the assault, Lieutenant Strain took him back to an aid man and returned to take command of an infantry platoon. He not only continued directing artillery fire, but advised, directed and encouraged the men of his platoon. Later, when his platoon was pinned down by small arms fire and the enemy began to shell its position with mortars, Lieutenant Strain rallied his men and led them forward to capture four houses in the town. He then organized a security defense and established a command post in the town. His courageous and aggressive leadership exemplifies the finest traditions of the military service.