The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Donald N. Sundeen (ASN: 0-1292611), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 23d Infantry Divison (Americal) at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 3 October 1944. During an attack by his platoon against the enemy in the Upper Laruna River Valley, Lieutenant Sundeen observed an enemy soldier preparing to fire at an American officer who had previously tried to kill the enemy soldier when his gun misfired. Courageously exposing himself to the enemy soldier, Lieutenant Sundeen succeeded in distracting his attention from the American officer and in the split second time afforded, was able to kill the enemy soldier before he had a chance to fire at the defenseless American officer. Lieutenant Sundeen, by his courageous action, saved a fellow officer from serious injury or possible death.