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 Lawrence M. Klobutcher (ASN: 36332384), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 30 January 1945. When Private Klobutcher’s platoon was attacking the approaches to an enemy-held hill, its advance was halted by fire from two enemy twenty millimeter guns. Private Klobutcher and another automatic rifleman, acting on their own initiative, crawled forward under heavy enemy fire to favorable positions from which they could place fire on the well-concealed Japanese weapons. From these positions they bravely exposed themselves to the enemy and, after a duel of two hours with the powerful hostile guns, succeeded in neutralizing them. The cool courage and determination of Private Klobutcher in bravely exposing himself to trade blows with the enemy machine guns resulted in the destruction of two hostile weapons that seriously impeded the advance of his platoon. 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.