The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Field Artillery) Wayne A. Kepner (ASN: 0-405599), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 6th Field Artillery Battalion, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 9 April 1945. Captain Kepner volunteered to serve as an artillery liaison officer with the infantry during an attack against strongly defended hills. When the American forces were subjected to an intense hostile artillery barrage, he left his position of comparative safety at a battalion command post and went forward to an advance observation post in order to locate the Japanese guns. Although artillery fire constantly fell in his immediate vicinity, Captain Kepner refused to quit his post and was fatally wounded while trying to locate the flashes of the hostile guns. 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.