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 Stefan Homa (ASN: 36035320), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 78th Infantry Division, in action on 31 December 1944, in the vicinity of Silberscheidt, Germany. Private First Class Homa volunteered to lead a night reconnaissance patrol on a mission to discover enemy positions. The patrol was ambushed. In order to distract attention from the other members of the patrol. Private First Class Homa ran forward, fell to the ground and commenced firing, accounting for several enemy. After his comrades reached safety, he withdrew across open terrain. His courage and devotion to duty are in accord with the military traditions of the United States.