The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade Armand L. Ferland (ASN: 11002024), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in North Africa in 1943. When communication lines between two infantry battalions were destroyed by heavy enemy artillery fire, Corporal Ferland, with a small group of men, voluntarily crept forward under heavy enemy machine gun and artillery fire and repaired these lines, thus permitting maintenance of vital communications and successful accomplishment of the battalion’s mission. 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 and the United States Army.