The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Wayne R. Morgan (ASN: 37750303), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 19 March 1945, near Ludwigswinkel, Germany. When two platoons, having established a bridgehead near Ludwigswinkel, were subjected to an enemy counterattack of heavy mortar and small arms fire and forced to withdraw, Private Morgan covered the withdrawal by firing his automatic rifle point-blank into enemy pillbox embrasures. Though he was under constant German fire, he continued to blaze away at the enemy until he had expended 34 magazines of ammunition and his company had achieved the withdrawal. By his heroic action and undaunted courage, Private Morgan broke up the German counterattack and undoubtedly prevented capture or severe losses in his company.