The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Donald E. Downard (ASN: 0-337997), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 2d Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 25 April 1945, near Donauworth, Germany. In the attack on Donauworth, Colonel Downard was commanding a group of armored and infantry forces known as Task Force Downard. When the task force met heavy resistance, he mounted his infantry on the tanks and flanked the enemy by entering the town from the east. In this maneuver, Colonel Downard, disregarding his own safety, rode on the outside of the leading tank in order to control the attack and observe the tactics of the enemy. Through his outstanding courage and professional skill, Colonel Downard played a major role in the destruction of the enemy forces, the capture of the town and the subsequent crossing of the Danube River.