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 Adelbert J. Hoyt (ASN: 6574617), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 142d Engineer Combat Battalion, 42d Infantry Division. On 22 March 1945 near Ludwigswinkel, Germany during the attack on the Siegfried Line, Sergeant Hoyt was accompanying the Battalion Reconnaissance Officer on foot through an enemy defense system when they located the site of a large explosive charge, previously reported by an escaped Russian slave laborer. While the officer went forward on reconnaissance, Sergeant Hoyt dug at the site of the charge with his hands and mess kit and uncovered a detonating cord. Hearing voices, he started to investigate a well-concealed pillbox approximately one hundred yards away and captured ten enemy soldiers. After delivering the prisoners to other troops, Sergeant Hoyt returned to the site of the charge and continued excavating, guarding the site to prevent possible detonation of the explosive by any remaining enemy. His courageous act prevented the enemy from blocking a main road and resulted in the capture of ten prisoners and the obtaining of vital information from the enemy.