The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Reed Gertsch Probst, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a Chaplain with the 41st Infantry Division, in action at Biak Island, on 8 June 1944. With severe artillery fire bursting all around him, Chaplain Probst stood in the open without protection and calmly conducted, in a normal manner, funeral services for soldiers killed in action. While the area around the beachhead was smothered with fire, Chaplain Probst moved about without regard for his safety, giving aid and assistance to the wounded. Throughout the battle he never stopped his work among the dead and wounded, except when there were none to care for. This inspiring display of courage won him the admiration and respect of the officers and enlisted men of the regiment in which he served. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Probst, 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.