The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Cost Artillery Corps) Walter J. Czarnecki (ASN: 0-1060059), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 531st Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Separate), in support of the 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 21 August 1944, in France. Second Lieutenant Czarnecki was assigned to an Anti-Aircraft Artillery unit which was moving in an advancing column formation to a new position. The column was suddenly fired on by several enemy gun positions. Without hesitation, and with complete disregard for his life, Second Lieutenant Czarnecki halted the column, ordered his guns into firing positions, and in order to protect them until they could set up to defend themselves, Second Lieutenant Czarnecki advanced in his own vehicle rapidly toward the enemy gun positions, firing as he went, and distracting the fire of all enemy positions onto himself. By this gallant deed which undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades, whom otherwise would have been extremely vulnerable targets until they could displace themselves, Second Lieutenant Czarnecki sacrificed his life. The unselfish devotion to duty exhibited by Second Lieutenant Czarnecki reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.