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 Herman R. Zeitner (ASN: 39384232), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 10 June 1944, near ****, France. When his platoon was pinned down by heavy mortar, artillery and machine gun fire, Staff Sergeant Zeitner displayed outstanding courage and aggressiveness as he exposed himself time and again to enemy fire as he reorganized the unit and finally led it in the assault which gained the objective. Later in the day when the advance was again held up, Staff Sergeant Zeitner, with a three-man patrol, knocked out an armored car and an enemy tank with bazooka fire. In the final phase of the assault he fearlessly rushed a machine gun nest and eliminated it with hand grenades. The courageous aggressiveness and leadership displayed by Staff Sergeant Zeitner in this action were in keeping with the high traditions of the Airborne Forces.