The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant David C. Shepherd (ASN: 34433006), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 28 March 1945, in Germany. Strong enemy positions located on the reverse slope of a hill were directing harassing fire on Staff Sergeant Shepherd’s unit. Staff Sergeant Shepherd, a squad leader of an 81-mm. mortar squad, volunteered to provide covering fire with his mortars so that a tank could advance on the enemy positions. Although his task was rendered exceedingly difficult because friendly troops wee close to the enemy positions, he delivered accurate and effective fire on the enemy, protecting the tank from fire until it was directly upon the enemy positions. Largely as a result of Staff Sergeant Shepherd’s actions, the positions were effectively neutralized. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Shepherd, 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.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant David C. Shepherd (ASN: 34433006), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 23 February 1945, in Germany. Staff Sergeant Shepherd and two members of a forward observer party, being unable to deliver mortar fire on the enemy because of their proximity to our own troops, set out to destroy the enemy in a nearby building. Although under fire, they advanced on the building when they noticed nine of the enemy advancing along a hedgerow. Quickly moving toward the enemy group, Staff Sergeant Shepherd and his comrades opened fire killing or wounding the entire group. With this threat to the company removed, they joined the riflemen in storming the buildings and assisted in capturing twenty-five prisoners. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Shepherd, 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.