The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Morgan O. Preston, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on the night of 17 March 1944. Lieutenant Preston, after putting the men of his Infantry combat patrol into a position as a base of fire to support him, crept more than 100 yards in the face of intense enemy machinegun, machine pistol and rifle fire to destroy three Germans with his Tommy gun. Disregarding bullets hitting within a few feet of him, he threw a hand grenade through a window of a house from which more of the enemy were firing, silencing the fire and capturing a German who ran out of the house after overpowering him in hand-to-hand struggle. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.