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 Boyd J. Whitcher (ASN: 37508115), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Medical Detachment, *** Field Artillery Battalion, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 16 February 1945, in Germany. During the time an attached unit was undergoing an intense shelling by enemy artillery, a vehicle that was en route to evacuate the wounded was blown up by a mine, wounding the two occupants of the vehicle. Corporal Whitcher, upon hearing of the casualties, immediately proceeded into the area although enemy artillery shells continued to fall, and with utter disregard of personal safety assisted in giving first aid and evacuating the wounded. The devotion to duty and utter disregard for personal safety displayed by Corporal Whitcher reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.