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 [then Private] Woodrow W. Shirah (ASN: 7085202), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 12 July 1944, in France. Sergeant Shirah was assigned to duty as scout with an infantry squad during an attack by our forces. An intense hostile mortar barrage fell in the area in which Sergeant Shirah was advancing, inflicting heavy casualties on the group. Despite the continuing enemy shell fire, which more than once knocked down Sergeant Shirah, he voluntarily remained in the danger area and succeeded in administering first aid to the wounded. After checking the casualties to determine whether or not they were still alive, he crawled with the remaining wounded man to safety. The courage and dauntless initiative exhibited by Sergeant Shirah reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.