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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Lloyd Welsh (ASN: 0-1306185), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 5 July 1944. An organized group of approximately one reinforced enemy platoon tried to force their entrance into the command group. During this attack it was extremely necessary to bring in friendly mortar fire very close to the front lines. To accomplish this, Lieutenant Welsh went forward approximately thirty yards in front of his own lines and with absolute disregard for his own safety and under enemy fire, directed mortar fire as close as thirty yards to his own observation post. On another occasion the same day, Lieutenant Welsh, without orders, assumed command of a rifle platoon a part of which was pinned down with enemy machine gun and rifle fire. He organized and directed this platoon in an attack on the enemy by going around the left flank. While in the process of eliminating enemy groups secure in obscure and very inaccessible emplacements, Lieutenant Welsh was shot and mortally wounded.