The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Philip Kowice (ASN: 38071688), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy in Italy on 29 March 1944. During a severe midnight shelling of his battery area Private First Class Kowice emerged from his dugout to go to the assistance of an injured man. Before he could reach him, a shell hit nearby, knocking him unconscious into a dugout. Upon regaining consciousness, although badly bruised and dazed, he immediately began to administer first aid to the wounded man. Another shell, hitting a nearby dump, set it afire, covering the area with a thick blanket of acrid smoke; he proceeded, under continued shellfire, 200 yards up the road to summon an ambulance. His exceptional courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.