Murel C. Whited’s Silver Star 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 Technician Fourth Grade Murel C. Whited (ASN: 35170566), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company *, ** Ranger Battalion, near ***, Sicily, on ** July 1943. Technician Fourth Grade Whited while stationed near a small bridge, acting as a connecting file between units of his company, was approached by eight enemy motorcycles with two or three men on each, some with machine guns mounted. He signaled the leading motorcycle to stop but the signal was ignored and the enemy opened fire. Technician Fourth Grade Whited returned the fire with a sub-machine gun thereby stopping all eight of the motorcycles and killing and wounding at least ten of the enemy. His coolness and courage under fire were an inspiration to his men and are deserving of the highest praise. His gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Military Forces.