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 Harry W. Vinke, United States Army, for gallantry in action in the vicinity of Pheling, Germany, on 28 April 1945. On that date, Private First Class Vinke, a Company M motorman, and five comrades went forward approximately five hundred yards to evacuate a wounded soldier who was lying in a position completely exposed to enemy small arms and machine gun fire. Making their way through a muddy ditch and dashing across three hundred yards of open ground to a patch of weeds, Private First Class Vinke courageously dashed from the wooded area and, running the gauntlet of direct enemy observed automatic weapons fire, managed to reach friendly mortar positions. He then directed our mortar fire on the hostile machine gun positions and effectively neutralized it, thus enabling his comrades to evacuate the casualty to safety. His unusual courage under fire, strong initiative and loyal devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Vinke and the Armed Forces of the United States.