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 David M. Rodeheffer (ASN: 35132263), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the Philippine Islands, on 20 April 1945. Near the Mariquina River, Staff Sergeant Rodeheffer was leading a patrol across open ground toward a civilian’s house when he came under direct rifle fire from a cleverly concealed enemy pillbox adjacent to the house. Despite the continuous hostile fire, he immediately ran forward, twisting and dodging, until he reached a point within hand grenade range of the Japanese strong point. Throwing hand grenades and firing from the hip, he continued forward and plunged into the midst of the foe, killing two enemy soldiers with grenades and one with his rifle. Then he observed another enemy soldier at the rear of the those near the entrance to another pillbox. Staff Sergeant Rodeheffer shot the Japanese as he was in the act of throwing a grenade. Without hesitation he ran from the house and threw a grenade into the pillbox. Entering it immediately after the explosion, he found another hostile soldier killed by the grenade. Staff Sergeant Rodeheffer’s prompt and fearless action was solely responsible for the destruction of the Japanese emplacement and its personnel. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Rodeheffer, 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.