The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Raymond C. Burkhart (ASN: 0-2006904), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 16 March 1945, in the Hardt Mountains, France. When his company was pinned down by German machine gun fire during the attack through the Hardt Mountains, Lieutenant Burkhart, realizing that the enemy weapon would have to be neutralized before his men could continue the attack, made a personal reconnaissance of the area in the vicinity of the hostile weapon. Lieutenant Burkhart completed his reconnaissance in spite of the intensive fire covering that sector and redeployed his platoon in such a way as to bring effective fire upon the enemy position and neutralized the enemy weapon. Lieutenant Burkhart’s outstanding initiative, leadership and fearless action in spite of intense enemy fire was a major contribution in the accomplishment of his company’s mission.