The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Riva Persing (ASN: 1783415), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, American Expeditionary Forces While going forward with his company on 27 September 1918, he received a shrapnel wound in the leg and was sent back to a dressing station from which place it was desired to evacuate him. He refused to be evacuated and bravely re-joined his company doing duty in spite of the wound in his leg.