The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Richard W. Broomall (ASN: 15220145), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division, on 13 November 1944, at Bertrange, France. After crossing the Moselle River under cover of darkness and proceeding to Bertrange, a group of fifty infantrymen, of whom Staff Sergeant Broomall was one, encountered intense shelling and machinegun fire. Staff Sergeant Broomall’s element became separated from the main body and was gravely threatened with destruction within a closing ring of hostile troops. In this emergency Staff Sergeant Broomall organized a small reconnaissance patrol and led it out in search of friendly reinforcement for his beleaguered comrades. Enemy soldiers detected the patrol, however, and in the ensuing fight Staff Sergeant Broomall received a painful ankle-wound. Undaunted by his injury, and with superb presence of mind, Staff Sergeant Broomall sent a member of his patrol back to the main group to tell them of the enemy’s location, enabling them to return safely to their unit. Staff Sergeant Broomall protected his messenger’s withdrawal with his own fire. The conspicuous gallant conduct displayed by Staff Sergeant Broomall reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.