Earl Allen Valk

Private 1st Class, U. S. Army

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 23 (September 6, 1943)
CITATION:
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 Earl A. Valk (ASN: 38130067), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with an Armored Field Artillery Battalion.
About noon one day in April 1943, a shell from an 88-mm. heavy gut hit a trailer filled with 45 rounds of 105-mm. which caught fire and became a fierce blaze. Private First Class Earl A. Valk, driver of the half-track, with his leg wounded in three places, fearlessly jumped into his vehicle, also loaded with shells, and pulled it away from the trailer.
Sergeant Edward H. Hamberlin, fully aware of the fact that the ammunition might explode at any minute, and unmindful of his own safety, uncoupled the trailer, thus permitting Private First Class Valk to drive his vehicle to safety and barely in time to avoid the explosion of the ammunition trailer. By their gallant behavior under hazardous conditions, Sergeant Hamberlin and Private First Class Valk reflected great credit upon themselves and the military service.