The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Lawrence Malmed (ASN: 0-1303750), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, France, 29 September 1944. During defensive operations near the ****, Lieutenant Malmed, Commanding Officer of Company L, *** Infantry Regiment, had set up his command post in a captured German pillbox. Suddenly a strong German patrol confronted his position, attacking it with machine pistols and hand grenades. In the ensuing fire fight, the two enlisted men who were with Lieutenant Malmed were wounded, and the entire group captured. At this moment, reinforcements, whom the Americans had requested from the battalion before their capture, arrived and forced all the men to seek shelter in the pillbox while the battle continued. Lieutenant Malmed then persuaded the Germans to release him and his men, become his prisoners instead, and render first aid to the wounded soldiers. At the conclusion of the engagement, he was thus able to return to his lines with twelve prisoners of war. His daring and resourceful actions reflect credit upon his character as an officer, and upon the military service.