The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Gene G. King (ASN: 0-1165521), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 315th Field Artillery Battalion, 80th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 8 November 1944 in France. While serving as an artillery forward observer near Clemery, France, Lieutenant King was wounded during a heavy concentration of enemy mortar and artillery fire. Despite the pain of his injuries, he proceeded across open terrain, under intense hostile fire, to successfully evacuate several seriously wounded comrades. Lieutenant King’s gallantry and zealous devotion to his men were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.