The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Nelson A. Mahone, Jr. (ASN: 0-536250), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the *** Field Artillery Observation Battalion, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 11 November 1944, in France. Lieutenant Mahone, as Communications Officer, installed a telephone line to an important flash ranging base near Arracourt, France. However due to heavy enemy mortar and shell fire it was impossible to maintain communications. The next day Lieutenant Mahone laid another line midway between Vic-sur-Sielle and Moyenvic which necessitated putting the line across the river. Being unsuccessful in his attempts to throw the line across the river, Lieutenant Mahone took the line in his teeth and swam across the ice cold river under intense enemy shell fire. The courage and utter disregard for personal safety displayed by Lieutenant Mahone reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.