The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Private First Class] Forrest E. Boughton (ASN: 36766760), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, on 3 and 4 March 1945. During the attack on Styring Wendel, France, when personnel changes were rapid because of casualties sustained, Staff Sergeant Boughton, assumed command of his machine gun squad. Despite heavy hostile artillery and mortar fire, he supported attacking rifle platoons by rallying and maneuvering his men to a position where they brought effective fire against enemy fortifications. Later, when his section leader was wounded, he took charge of the entire section. Exposed to enemy observation and fire, he moved about his section to properly direct supporting fire covering the assaulting rifle platoons. His courageous leadership and tenacious devotion to duty enabled his company to seize its objective with a minimum of casualties.