The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Edward J. Blaha (ASN: 35062040), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 15 January 1945, in Belgium. Although the enemy was firing at any recognizable leaders, Sergeant Blaha took command of his machine gun squad after its leaders had all become casualties and led it through a hail of fire to within one hundred yards of a house in which there was an enemy machine gun. Risking peril of drawing sniper or machine gun fire, he personally manned the gun and succeeded in knocking out the enemy position, thereby permitting a platoon to withdraw from an extremely perilous situation. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Blaha, 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.