The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Lawrence W. Eshleman (ASN: 0-1999956), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Belgium, from 3 to 11 January 1945. When his company had been surrounded by strong enemy forces, Lieutenant Eshleman, a mortar platoon leader and forward observer, quickly organized defensive positions, supervised the care of the wounded and personally carried many casualties to more sheltered positions. At dusk, he led a patrol which succeeded in establishing contact with friendly troops, and enabled many of his men to escape encirclement over the route reconnoitered. A further enemy advance severed this road, however, and Lieutenant Eshleman set out alone to find another way of reaching the remainder of his battalion. For a period of eight days, he moved through enemy territory, hiding in woods and cellars, and keenly observing all German installations, until he finally succeeded in reaching friendly lines with highly valuable information concerning enemy strength and activities. His intrepidity, calm leadership and resourcefulness are in accord with the military traditions of the United States.