The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Coast Artillery) Stephen G. Saltzman, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with a Coast Artillery Regiment at Wahiawa, Territory of Hawaii, during the Japanese aerial attack on 7 December 1941, where he brought down a Japanese airplane with his automatic rifle. Along with Staff Sergeant Lowell V. Klatt, Second Lieutenant Saltzman voluntarily and on his own initiative without regard for his own safety, left the shelter of the Command Post in the face of heavy fire from enemy planes. He coolly waited in an exposed position until one of the enemy planes approached within 100 yards, and then delivered armed automatic rifle fire at one of the two enemy planes. His fire, combined with that of Sergeant Klatt, caused the plane to crash, resulting in the destruction of the ship and crew. The cool determination and disregard for his personal safety displayed by Second Lieutenant Saltzman was an inspiration to members of his regiment.