The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Ben M. Flud (ASN: 18086676), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 344th Field Artillery Battalion, 90th Infantry Division in action during the period 9 to 11 November 1944 in the vicinity of Koenigamacher, France. During the crossing of the Moselle River, Sergeant Flud, Liaison Sergeant, obtained an assault boat, and, despite the flooded waters and intense enemy fire, succeeded in laying a vital wire communication line. When the swift current defeated his efforts to lay another line, he acted as a personal runner to carry vital information from shore to shore. The following day, when a launch in which supplies were being transported capsized, Sergeant Flud, at risk of his life, swam to the craft and saved the lives of two comrades who could not swim. His gallantry was in accordance with high military tradition.