Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    143d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    36th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 30, 1944

    Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 487 (December 29, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Ray M. Starr (ASN: 37723037), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving Company E, 143d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action on 30 October 1944 in France. During an attack against enemy positions on a hill, Private Starr was assigned he mission of maintaining contact between his own company and Company F. The two units were separated by 75 yards of hilly and heavily wooded terrain which contained numerous, well-concealed hostile emplacements. Although he was the target for direct machine gun and rifle fire, Private Starr pressed dauntlessly forward, maneuvering back and fort between the flanks of the companies. The area was subjected to heavy barrages of mortar and artillery fire, but he ignored the dangers which confronted him and continued maintaining contact with Company F. He did not once falter in performing his important mission and moved fearlessly across the shell-blasted and fire-swept terrain until he was mortally wounded by the hostile fire.