The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Henry F. Blackman, Jr. (ASN: 12183647), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the First Special Service Force, in action against the enemy near Villenueve-Loubet, France, on 26 August 1944. Private First Class Blackman’s company had moved into a defensive position which had been subjected to enemy counter-attacks during the entire day. Private First Class Blackman and two other men were placed on outpost duty along a likely avenue of approach for the enemy. Armed with a sub-machine gun and grenades, he was assigned the specific mission of driving off any enemy that attempted to approach the position from a nearby wooded area. Several enemy soldiers approached unobserved along with a winding path and threw hand grenades into the outpost position. With complete disregard for his own personal safety Private First Class Blackman ran through intense small arms fire, recovered the grenades and threw them back among the enemy troops. Then noticing that the enemy was massing for a counter-attack, he engaged them with his sub-machine gun and so disorganized them that they broke and retreated. Shortly thereafter Private First Class Blackman was seriously wounded by enemy mortar fire which had been brought to bear on his outpost in an effort to wipe it out. Private First Class Blackman’s gallant actions not only repelled a serious threat to his company’s position but provided additional time for his unit to further perfect its defensive position. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.