The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Evert D. Rennaker (ASN: 0-1615646), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Pinamopoean, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 4 February 1945. First Lieutenant Rennaker was commanding a rifle platoon during an attack on a stubborn, well-entrenched enemy on Breakneck Ridge. The platoon had gained the crest of the ridge when First Lieutenant Rennaker was overcome by heat exhaustion and was taken to the company command post. Refusing to be evacuated to a hospital, he then returned to resume command of the platoon. He then spotted two enemy machine guns delivering intense, accurate fire on his platoon which had already killed one man and wounded five others. Completely disregarding his own safety, First Lieutenant Rennaker left his relatively concealed position in the tall grass, crawled forward under the fire of the two machine guns and killed the two-man crew of one gun with his carbine and then killed the three man crew of the other with a hand grenade. After killing the five enemy soldiers he rushed forward in view of other enemy troops and fired one of the machine guns at the enemy forces which were reorganizing for a counterattack against his platoon. With withering fire of the enemy weapon operated by First Lieutenant Rennaker broke up the counterattack and forced the enemy to withdraw in confusion leaving an addition four killed and five wounded. First Lieutenant Rennaker’s outstanding courage, leadership, and devotion to duty were an inspiration to all and are in accord with the highest traditions of the military service.