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 Staff Sergeant Graydon E. Waters (ASN: 32287207), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 9 January 1945 at Hatten, France. When his battalion’s main line of resistance had been overrun by flame throwing tanks supported by artillery, Sergeant Waters held his squad in position and directed a gallant defense in the face of point-blank fire from the enemy tanks. Climbing up to a dangerously exposed position in the tower of a pillbox, Sergeant Waters adjusted friendly artillery fire which put four enemy tanks out of action and, as the crews attempted to escape, he coolly picked them off with his sniper’s rifle. Sergeant Waters remained in this exposed position encouraging the defenders by his splendid example until he was mortally wounded by an artillery burst. His outstanding courage, initiative and self-sacrifice played a major role in the successful defense of Hatten for which his battalion received a Presidential Citation.