The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Private First Class] Irving R. Fairchild (ASN: 371141126), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, during World War II. When his squad assaulted a fortified enemy position at Fort Stotsenburg on 28 January 1945 and met a withering hail of Japanese machine gun fire which wounded two scouts and two other riflemen, Private Fairchild, an automatic rifleman, dashed forward to an exposed position and laid down a counter-fire. While in this position an enemy shell exploded nearby and fragments damaged his weapon and wounded him in the side. Undaunted, Private Fairchild ran to the rear, secured another Browning Automatic Rifle and returned to continue the fight until the wounded men could be evacuated. During the action he killed three Japanese and wounded another. Private Fairchild’s courageous action made possible the rescue of four casualties. 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, his unit, and the United States Army.