The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Howard D. Armentrout (ASN: ER-37805040), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company D, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 11 October 1951 in the vicinity of Mundung-ni, Korea. On this date Sergeant Armentrout was with a platoon of engineers, clearing a path for advancing friendly tanks, while under direct enemy observation and small arms fire. During the ensuing action, an antiaircraft gun crew, engaged in a severe fire fight with the enemy, was running critically low on ammunition. Sergeant Armentrout, voluntarily and without regard for his own safety, left his position of comparative safety to obtain the necessary ammunition. Securing an M-39 personnel carrier, he loaded it with ammunition and proceeded toward the gun crew. Parking the vehicle in a defilade and out of view of the enemy, he crossed the open terrain, in spite of the intense hostile small arms and mortar fire, to deliver the ammunition. With this assistance, the gun crew was able to provide adequate supporting fire for the assaulting riflemen. The gallantry in action and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Armentrout on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.