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) Paul M. G. Bemish, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 108th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division, in action at Luzon, Philippine Islands. On 5 February 1945, when his battalion’s bivouac near Fort Stotsenburg was fired upon by concealed enemy guns, Lieutenant Bemish and an enlisted man dashed down a barren slope, manned a captured artillery piece, and directed effective fire at the enemy emplacements, although their exposed position made them the principal target of enemy fire. The intrepidity of Second Lieutenant Bemish was of major consequence in making possible the battalion advance the following day.