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) Elwin McDowell Blackstone (ASN: 0-375990), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 25 January 1945 in Luxembourg. At Pintsch, Luxembourg, when a numerically superior force of enemy threatened his company, he voluntarily led an attack on their positions so as to mislead the enemy in regards to his company’s strength. With disregard for personal safety he advanced through intense hostile fire to destroy a machine gun covering the enemy’s retreat. His self-sacrifice and leadership enabled his company to advance further and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.