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 Walter J. Blasik (ASN: 8145837), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against an armed enemy on 10 November 1944, near ****, Holland. Private Blasik, Rifleman, was a member of a 12-man combat patrol sent out to capture a prisoner. The patrol, while crossing a muddy, rain-swept clearing, became silhouetted by a break in the overcast. Caught off guard in an open field, the patrol was forced by enemy machine gun and small arms fire to seek cover. Private Blasik voluntarily broke from cover and ran straight for the enemy machine gun, killing its two gunners with bursts of Tommy Gun fire. Private Blasik’s gallant demonstration of bravery reflects great honor upon himself and upon the Airborne Forces.