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 Nicholas Van Malden (ASN: 32628053), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 8 October 1944 in France. When his infantry company was temporarily stopped by intense machine gun fire from an enemy pillbox, Private First Class Van Malden, accompanied by another rifleman, voluntarily advanced in the face of enemy fire to within thirty yards of the German position and charged the position with hand grenades. He then fired two clips of carbine ammunition into the entrance of the pillbox and forced the surrender of one German officer and three enlisted men, thereby enabling his company to continue its advance and capture the nearby town. The courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty displayed by Private First Class Van Malden were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.