The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Donald W. Bast (ASN: 0-2097438), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company C, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 19 July 1953 in the vicinity of Sangjin-ni, North Korea. On that date, Lieutenant Bast was in command of an engineer platoon laying barbed wire in front of Main Battle Positions occupied by the Netherlands United Nations Battalion. Before the mission could be completed, however, the entire area suddenly became subjected to an intense enemy artillery barrage, followed by a determined enemy ground assault. Lieutenant immediately withdrew his platoon into the friendly positions and assigned them fields of fire to aid in the defense of the position. He remained in the open trench and moved from man to man encouraging them and issuing instructions. When the momentum of the enemy assault carried them into the sectors of the friendly positions, Lieutenant Base, with complete disregard for personal safety, moved through the trench to direct the fighting. He continued his courageous assault in an effort to repulse the enemy until his comrades lost him in the raging conflict. Through his courageous and inspiring leadership the friendly unit was successful in repelling the enemy and retaining possession of the position. The gallantry in action exhibited by Lieutenant Bast reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.