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 Raymond J. Zander (ASN: 32760646), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 692d Tank Destroyer Battalion, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 24 April 1945 near Gosheim, Germany. As a Tank Destroyer Cannoneer, Private Zander successfully defended a Tank Destroyer convoy from serious damage from enemy aircraft. Although wounded by the strafing fire by the enemy aircraft, Private Zander opened fire on the hostile planes with a .50 caliber machine gun and destroyed one aircraft and forced the others to abandon their attack. As a result of Private Zander’s courageous action, his Tank Destroyer Platoon was enabled to continue and assist in the capture of the town of Gosheim.