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 [then Private First Class] Eugene J. Balough (ASN: 32356127), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Medical Detachment, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On the morning of 26 December 1944, near *****, France, Technician Fifth Grade Balough led his litter team across 100 yards of almost level terrain, under intense mortar, artillery and small arms fire, to a burning building, to give aid to and evacuate the wounded men therein. Despite six direct hits by an enemy tank on the building, almost crumbling it, he successfully completed his mission. Leaving his men to evacuate the wounded he crawled 150 yards further under the mortar fire, now increasing in intensity and often bursting within twenty-five yards of him, and under small arms fire that barely cleared his body, to give aid to and single-handedly evacuate another wounded soldier. 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.