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 Winston L. Wolfenberger (ASN: 38430629), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Medical Detachment, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 4 February 1945. Private Wolfenberger, an aid man with an infantry company, was accompanying the assault elements of his unit when the lead scout was seriously wounded by Japanese fire. Upon hearing the injured man’s call for help, Private Wolfenberger dashed fifty yards to his side across terrain completely exposed to enemy fire. He found the casualty bleeding profusely and applied a tourniquet to his leg. Private Wolfenberger attempted three times to drag the wounded man to cover, but each time the dragging pressure tore the tourniquet loose. On three occasions Private Wolfenberger paused under fire to reapply the bandage. Finally, unwilling to risk more loss of blood, he took the casualty in his arms and carried him 75 yards through a hail of cross fire to a row of sheltering trees. There he applied first aid until litter bearers arrived. Private Wolfenberger’s courage and skill saved the wounded man’s life. 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 pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Private First Class Winston L. Wolfenberger (ASN: 38430629), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Medical Detachment, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division. On 28 April 1945, at Mount Pacawagan, Philippine Islands, an infantry company was subjected to heavy enemy mortar and machine gun fire while attempting to secure important objectives. Seven casualties were suffered by one platoon and Private Wolfenberger, a medical aid man, alone and unaided, and in full observation of the enemy, was successful in treating and removing to comparative safety three of his comrades, applying emergency dressings. This last casualty, who had been well forward in the unit at the time he was hit, was too seriously wounded to be moved, and Private Wolfenberger, refusing to accept the fact that the wounds would probably be fatal, remained over thirty minutes with him, lying prone a good part of the time because of the open terrain and the proximity of the enemy, administered the plasma under these most difficult conditions, and withdrew only after the man had expired, carrying the body to the rear with him. 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.