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 Kenneth M. Plahn, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 26 February 1944, while leading a patrol in a reconnaissance of the enemy-occupied Kuraio Mission at Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Discovered and fired upon by the Japanese, Sergeant Plahn covered the withdrawal of his patrol to the band of a river where he was exposed to hostile fire for forty minutes in holding back the enemy with a sub-machine gun while his men crossed to safety. Sergeant Plahn’s courage in standing his ground against enemy forces who approached to within thirty yards made it possible for his men to escape without casualties. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.