The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Earl G. King (ASN: 37316945), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 383d Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division, in action on 26 October 1944 on Leyte, Philippine Islands. When his combat patrol encountered an equal number of the enemy, Sergeant King deliberately and voluntarily, at the risk of his life, exposed himself to the enemy to attract their attention. Heedless of his danger, Sergeant King, although wounded in the action, continued, by shouting and shooting, to draw the enemy’s fire on himself while the remainder of his patrol encircled and destroyed the enemy. Sergeant King’s voluntary risk of life and reckless courage saved the lives of his comrades and permitted the completion of the patrol’s mission.