The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Donald L. West (ASN: 37324243), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Medical Department, 104th Infantry Division, in action in Germany, on 26 November 1944. On that date, Corporal West’s medical detachment received a request for the evacuation of four seriously wounded soldiers. The battalion making the request was completely cut off from friendly forces. Corporal West, voluntarily and with complete disregard for his personal safety, led the rescue party which raced across 1,000 yards of fire-swept area in two jeeps and an ambulance while machine gun fire, delivered by the enemy partially blinded by darkness, raked the road. The casualties were quickly loaded on the ambulance and the return journey made along the crater-filled road in the face of continuing heavy fire. Corporal West’s acts, above and beyond the call of duty, exemplify the highest traditions of the American medical soldier in his mission of mercy, and reflect the highest credit on himself and the armed forces of the United States.