The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Randolph O. Heide (ASN: 37272702), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 339th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division, in action on 11 May 1944, in Italy. During the initial assault upon a strongly held enemy line, Staff Sergeant Heide, a squad leader, though painfully wounded by enemy fire, led his squad through an uncharted minefield and against bitter resistance to its objective. Refusing to be evacuated, he remained in command to organize a defensive position and direct the squad in neutralizing hostile machine gun emplacements which were menacing the position. While engaged in the bitter fire fight that followed seizure of the objective, Staff Sergeant Heide sustained another, and this time fatal wound. Despite the severity of his injuries, he remained in the position until satisfied that the organization of defensive positions was complete. His gallant sacrifice of life so assured that the objective was secure reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the military service.