The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Norman C. Caum (ASN: 0-11803), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 9 January 1945, near Hatten, France. When a request for reinforcements was made by his First Battalion which was then facing tremendous odds and surrounded in Hatten, Colonel Caum organized a patrol from remnants of the Second Battalion, greatly under-strength. Unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his life, he personally led this group into the town under constant artillery, tank, and small arms fire to the aid of the beleaguered forces. The fact that their commander had fought his way to them at a time when the situation was most critical spurred the officers and men surrounding him to even greater efforts and resulted in their holding fast against the numerically superior force. Colonel Caum’s exemplary courage and heroic leadership were vital factors in defeating the fanatical German attempt to retake Alsace and cut off a major portion of the Sixth Army Group.