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 Edward A. Thielen (ASN: 38074365), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 6 January 1945 at Gambsheim, France. Upon sighting an enemy tank approaching his squad’s position, Sergeant Thielen stepped into full view of the tank’s gunners and fired anti-tank grenades point-blank, killing an unknown number of the enemy and causing the tank to alter its course. Facing the direct fire of the tank’s weapons, he remained in his position and covered the complete withdrawal of his squad. Sergeant Thielen’s heroic action saved many of his men from death or capture and was a vital contribution to the successful repulse of the enemy attack.