The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Earl Edgar Ray (ASN: 0-401964), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Regimental Chaplain with the 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action southeast of El Guettar, Tunisia, on ** March 1943. Chaplain Ray moved forward with the advanced aid station under intense machine gun, mortar and artillery fire to within one hundred yards of the front lines where he remained until ** April 1943, giving first aid, assisting in plasma administration, acting as litter bearer, evacuating walking and litter wounded, reassuring those cases of anxiety amenable to immediate psychotherapy and supervising the feeding and comfort of those patients awaiting evacuation to the rear. Many instances characterize Chaplain RayÕs exceptional courage and gallantry in action. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Ray, 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.