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 Corporal Bert Kenji Higashi (ASN: 30100282), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company D, 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), attached to the 34th Infantry Division, on 8 November 1943, in the vicinity of Pozzilli, Italy. Corporal Higashi, the Assistant Forward Observer for an 81-mm. mortar platoon, was in position of an Observation Post located on the crest of a hill forward of the advance infantry elements. The Observation Post was almost untenable because of intense and continuous enemy artillery fire. During the course of the morning, the enemy launched two counterattacks, preceded by an artillery barrage. Corporal Higashi, however, remained at his post directing fire orders to his platoon, although his position was being constantly shelled. Both times the enemy, estimated at two companies, were repulsed and their columns broken by mortar fire directed from this Observation Point. Corporal Higashi remained at his post during the entire morning until he and the other observers were killed by a tree burst of an enemy shell. His courage and bravery in the face of almost certain death was an inspiration to his fellow soldiers and a credit to the Armed Forces of the United States.