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 Palmer C. McCracken, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 45th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Italy, on 19 February 1944. When his Infantry battalion was virtually surrounded by enemy forces and being subjected to extremely heavy artillery, mortar, and tank fire, Private McCracken, with four other Infantrymen, delivered necessary rations to the battalion command post. After reaching the battalion command post, he and another soldier continued under intense machine gun and rifle fire to the position of one of the companies where they distributed rations to the men in their foxholes. When he hear the cries of several wounded soldiers forward of the front lines, he and his companion located the injured men, placed them on an abandoned truck and evacuated 11 men, 10 of whom survived. Private McCracken’s 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.