The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Kenneth E. Wasem, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 34th Infantry Division, in action on the FIFTH Army front in Italy during World War II. Prior to an assault, Private Wasem observed an enemy machine gun squad going into action on an emplacement to his front. Crawling down an exposed forward slope and under intense enemy small arms fire, he got to within five feet of the enemy position and using his rifle with great skill, he killed the four Germans in the emplacement. After accomplishing this mission, he crawled back to the assault starting point and rejoined his squad. Private First Class Wasem’s heroic determination and courage were a source of inspiration to his fellow comrades and a credit to himself and his organization.