The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Private First Class Samuel Risner (ASN: 35634705), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 29 January, 11 and 12 February 1945. During the Campaign for Manila, Private Risner, a platoon runner, repeatedly demonstrated outstanding courage and devotion to duty. On one occasion, despite painful wounds, he insisted upon remaining in the fight until ordered to safety by his commanding officer. Another time, when communications were severed, Private Risner voluntarily travelled 300 yards through an intense enemy mortar barrage in order to deliver a message to his company commander. The following day he voluntarily joined a reconnaissance patrol. As the group rounded a corner they were met by a burst of Japanese machine gun fire, which seriously wounded the patrol leader, who lay in an exposed area. Private Risner immediately dashed into the fire-swept area and pulled his comrade to safety. Private Risner was fatally wounded two months later during the campaign for Baguio. 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.

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 Private First Class Samuel Risner (ASN: 35634705), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 18 April 1945. As his platoon prepared to assault an enemy outpost, Private Risner observed two Japanese soldiers manning a machine gun which covered his organization’s route of advance. On his own initiative, he crawled to within fifteen yards of the enemy weapon. Then he threw a hand grenade which landed in the hostile emplacement and killed one of the enemy. The other Japanese tried to swing the machine gun around to fire at Private Risner, but the latter killed the enemy with well aimed rifle fire, eliminating the threat to his platoon, which accomplished its mission without casualties. Private Risner was later killed leading his squad in an attack on an enemy-held hill. 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.