The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade Herman O. Oistad (ASN: 36177252), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 7 August 1944, in France. Observing an enemy force approaching, Technician Fifth Grade Oistad, the driver of a quarter-ton truck, left his vehicle in order to warn his unit of an imminent counterattack. When he had given the alarm he started back towards his vehicle but saw that a number of the enemy had succeeded in almost reaching it. Obtaining permission to attempt to save the vehicle from capture, Technician Fifth Grade Oistad ran bravely towards it, but realizing that the enemy troops would reach it before he could, he unhesitatingly opened fire on them with the automatic rifle he carried to halt them and then sprayed the vehicle with fire in order to render it useless. This courageous act, performed without hesitation, prevented a useful piece of equipment from falling into enemy hands. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Technician Fifth Grade Oistad, 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.