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 James H. Standerfer (ASN: 38434630), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 23 February 1945. Private First Class Standerfer, an automatic rifleman, volunteered to go forward across a fire-swept street in Manila to place automatic rifle fire on an enemy barricaded position 75 yards to his front. After raking the barricade with several magazines of ammunition, Private First Class Standerfer again changed his position, moving forward in an attempt to locate an enemy mortar observer whose extremely well-directed fire was seriously hampering the attack. As Private First Class Standerfer reached his new position he was killed instantly the fragments from a mortar shell which landed nearby. Private First Class Standerfer’s courage and combat efficiency exemplified the finest traditions of the Armed Forces.