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 Sergeant Henry J. Teja (ASN: 20251159), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 23 June 1944, in France. When a patrol from his unit was pinned down by enemy fire, Sergeant Teja voluntarily proceeded across open terrain in the face of heavy enemy fire and successfully directed the patrol to friendly soil. Upon returning to his own lines and learning that one member of the patrol was still in enemy territory, First Sergeant Teja unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his personal safety, again entered the enemy lines and successfully evacuated the wounded man. The heroic actions of Sergeant Teja on this occasion, in which he placed the lives of his men above his own, reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.