The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class William E. Wiecking (ASN: 35064341), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, France, on 13 November 1944. While moving toward strongly defended enemy positions on a hill near ****, Company E, 2d Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, was subjected to direct fire from German machine guns located in fortified emplacements. Private Wiecking, a rifleman, voluntarily made his way toward the enemy position in the face of withering fire from German machine guns located in the fortified enemy position in the face of withering fire and hurled grenades into the hostile installation, killing the enemy gun crew and destroying their weapon. While thus engaged in clearing a path for his unit’s advance with utter disregard for his own safety, Private Wiecking was killed by a burst of fire from an adjacent machine gun. His unselfish display of courage and fighting spirit greatly contributed to the success of his company in this operation and is in accord with the military traditions of the United States.