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 Sergeant Virgil Rist (ASN: 6851321), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a member of Battery B, 59th Coast Artillery Regiment, in action against the enemy at Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 24 April 1942. When Battery Crockett, to which he was assigned, was being shelled continuously by enemy siege artillery, Sergeant Rist, at the risk of his life, voluntarily and unhesitatingly led two other volunteers into the various compartments of the burning battery to carry the helpless, wounded men to safety. Despite the fact that the installation was on fire, small-arms ammunition stored there was exploding, and the powder magazine was threatening to explode, Sergeant Rist returned with his men to extinguish the fires, in order to keep the battery and the men of his section ready for action. Sergeant Rist’s gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.