Ray A. Milversted

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Ray A. Milversted (20715544), Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action on 12 February 1944, while serving with Headquarters Battery, 194th Field Artillery Group, in the vicinity of Raviscanina, Italy. When enemy shellfire caused one quarter-ton radio car to burst into flames near other radios, vehicles, rocket ammunition, and personnel, Sergeant Ray Milversted and Sergeant Alouis Nearing left a ditch about two hundred yards away and brought the blaze under control. Technician Fifth Grade Frederick Basile ran to a radio weapons carrier parked on the other side of the rockets and drove it away. During this time shells continued to burst, some falling within 10 yards. At great personal risk, the three non-commissioned officers saved valuable government property from possible injury and protected other nearby radio operating personnel. Their actions were beyond the call of duty and are in the best traditions of the military service.