The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Roy K. Rickerson (ASN: 0-1323739), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 267th Special Reconnaissance Battalion (Separate), at Chambonte, France, on 31 August 1944. Voluntarily parachuting with his section into Southern France, near the town of Devesset on 17 July 1944, nearly one month before the Allied invasion, First Lieutenant Rickerson, for a period of 48 days, helped to lead his section in continuous guerrilla operations against the enemy. While on reconnaissance with two other officers and an interpreter on 31 August near Privas, he learned from German prisoners that a German march column was in the valley near Chemerac. Boldly deciding to seek the surrender of the German units, First Lieutenant Rickerson proceeded with his reconnaissance party to the German garrison at Chambonte, and entered the town under the protection of the American flag. Approaching the commander of the German garrison, First Lieutenant Rickerson by exhibiting great courage and quick thinking used a clever ruse to secure the surrender of 3,824 of the enemy, including two colonels, six majors, ten captains, and fifteen lieutenants.