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 [then Private] Abraham Gurley (ASN: 15090647), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 9 July 1943, Southeast of ****. Private First Class Gurley, along with eight other privates and one officer, crept up under the natural cover of trees and bushed to a position next to a road where an enemy column had been passing and had halted. He served as protection for the rocket launcher and with his rifle fire kept the enemy from getting too close to the rocket launcher team. His disregarded his own safety to allow the rocket launcher team to get back from its forward position. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.