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 Elroy H. Klusmeyer (ASN: 36981860), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 10 January 1945, near Hatten, France. When a German attack knocked out two of our supporting tank destroyers, the remaining destroyers and the second platoon of Company E were ordered to withdraw to the village of Rittershoffen. The withdrawal had already commenced when Private Klusmeyer noticed an officer crawling out of one of the burning tank destroyers. Although severely wounded himself, Private Klusmeyer crossed 50 yards of open terrain through intense machine gun fire to aid the wounded officer. After extinguishing the officer’s burning clothing, he was wounded again but nevertheless led the temporarily blinded officer back to Rittershoffen, risking capture by so doing. His gallant action undoubtedly saved the life of the wounded officer.