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 Louie T. Bruin (ASN: 35679772), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 161st Field Artillery Battalion, 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, France, on 8 December 1944. While serving as a radio operator with a forward observer party, Private Bruin noticed that the officer acting as forward observer had been wounded and was lying in an exposed position. Disregarding intense enemy fire, he left a sheltered location and attempted to come to the rescue of this officer, but was seriously wounded as he made his way forward. Despite his condition, Private Bruin refused medical aid and urged his comrades to proceed with the advancing infantry. He died of wounds received in this action. Private Bruin’s unselfish loyalty to a wounded officer and zeal for the accomplishment of his unit’s mission even at the cost of his own life, inspired the men about him and are in accord with the military traditions of the United States.