The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Gerald E. Boyea, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of Styring-Wendel, France, on 3 March 1945. When the advance of his battalion was disorganized, he fought his way forward through mine fields in the face of hostile machine gun and artillery fire to reach the foremost troops. Rallying these men, he led an assault on an enemy-held trench, capturing and killing 40 Germans. Proceeding across exposed terrain, he again led the assault against the Siegfried Line positions, which were wrested from the enemy and the battalion objective captured. The courage, leadership, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Boyea, in the face of the enemy, reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.