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 (Field Artillery) Frank J. Czeiner (ASN: 0-2006433), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Service Battery, 493d Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 12th Armored Division, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Aversmacher, Germany on 17 February 1945. Second Lieutenant Czeiner was with the forward elements of Company A, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, as an artillery forward observer. The supported infantry company was being held up by intense enemy mortar and small arms fire and a mine field. His own radio having become inoperative, Second Lieutenant Czeiner left the safety of his foxhole and under heavy and sustained enemy mortar and small arms fire, crawled to one of the infantry radios, succeeded in adjusting it to his own channel, and called for artillery fire. His adjustment of artillery fire on the enemy positions forced them to withdraw and enabled the infantry to take its objective. Later the same day when his party was attacked by enemy patrols on two separate occasions, Second Lieutenant Czeiner led his men to successfully that large number of the enemy were captured or killed. 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, his unit, and the United States Army.