The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade Arthur A. Bloom, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with a military operation against an armed enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman with the Medical Detachment, 386th Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division. In a fierce fire fight near Merten, Germany, on 7 April 1945, Technician Fifth Grade Bloom, fearlessly advanced across fifty yards of open terrain in the face of direct machine gun fire which pierced his canteen, pistol belt and field jacket to the side of a man who had fallen from enemy fire. Technician Fifth Grade Bloom’s gallant devotion to duty on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.