The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Elmer W. Karpovich (ASN: 33804679), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the *** Chemical Mortar Battalion, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 23 January 1945, in Luxembourg. Corporal Karpovich voluntarily manned a surface emplaced mortar during heavy enemy shellfire which had previously wounded four members of the mortar platoon. An important screening mission was to be fired at the time, but the enemy shellfire on the position made operation extremely dangerous. Afforded no protection from shrapnel, Corporal Karpovich nevertheless acted as his own ammunition handler and gunner and fired the mortar. He was wounded by the shrapnel but continued at his post until the mission was completed. The heroic disregard for personal safety and extremely high sense of duty displayed by Corporal Karpovich reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.