The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Russell H. Pedigo (ASN: 36863506), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, Germany, on 13 April 1945. When the building in which the forward elements of his unit were quartered was suddenly subjected to heavy enemy rocket fire, followed by an attack by German riflemen, Corporal Pedigo and a companion on guard at the entrance of the building engaged the enemy in a fire fight, slowing their advance and enabling the men within the building to organize resistance and repel the enemy assault. Corporal Pedigo was killed by enemy fire while at his post. His heroic self-sacrifice honors his character as a soldier.