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] Firmus J. Pfeffer (ASN: 32753684), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Belgium, on 15 January 1945. Sergeant Pfeffer, a squad scout, entered the village of **** with his unit which launched an attack before dawn on 15 January, killed the enemy outpost guards, and engaged in street fighting in the village. Sergeant Pfeffer entered a building and was firing at enemy troops when he noticed a number of wires running into a building some thirty feet away. On his own initiative and without thought for personal safety he dashed across a street which was swept by machine gun fire, entered the building and surprised two German guards, who he promptly shot and killed. After cutting the wires leading to this building, he established contact with other members of his unit and led them to the building, where they succeeded in capturing a battalion commandant and members of his staff. Sergeant Pfeffer’s gallantry, initiative and fighting spirit are worthy of emulation.