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 Wallace G. Ekstrand (ASN: 37571653), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Medical Detachment, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 10 January 1945. As medical aid man with an infantry company, Private Ekstrand was advancing with his unit, when it became engaged in a fire fight with the enemy. Three men were seriously wounded and were lying behind a low hedgerow just a short distance from the hostile position. Private Ekstrand immediately left his covered position, and in the face of intense rifle fire alternately crawled and ran to the side of the injured men. Private Ekstrand had no cover from the Japanese fire as he crawled from one wounded man to another, giving them first aid treatment while lying by their sides. The enemy fire was too heavy to permit evacuation, and Private Ekstrand remained with them for twenty minutes until the enemy force had been disbursed. 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.