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 Howard D. Keplinger (ASN: 33845493), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Germany, on 9 March 1945. Although himself wounded by shell fragments during the course of a sharp enemy counterattack supported by artillery fire and tanks, Private Keplinger, a rifleman, made his way to a wounded comrade some fifty yards distant. As he carried the soldier to cover, Private Keplinger was killed by the near burst of another enemy artillery shell. His gallant self-sacrifice in placing the life of a wounded comrade above any though of personal safety, reflects the highest credit upon Private Keplinger’s character as a soldier.