The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Ollie F. Armstrong, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 34th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Italy, in 1943. During an engagement, when his platoon was unable to take up position on a ridge because of heavy enemy machine gun fire, Sergeant Armstrong, platoon sergeant of an Infantry Weapons Platoon, crawled up on the ridge in the face of heavy enemy fire. He was accompanied by one of his section sergeants. They fired their rifles and silenced the enemy machine gun long enough for the platoon to take up its position. Sergeant Armstrong then moved forward and established an observation post from which he directed mortar and machine gun fire against the enemy, remaining at his post although subjected to heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire. On the following day when the enemy launched a determined counterattack, he not only directed the fire of his weapons platoon but also directed the fire of the heavy weapons company’s 81-mm. mortars, and the fire of the cannon company. His fire directions brought such a heavy concentration of fire upon the enemy positions that they became disorganized, the counterattack was smashed, and the enemy was forced to evacuate its previous positions. 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.