The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Ray Manuel Duke, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 823d Tank Destroyer Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Belgium, on 18 December 1944. While engaged in battle with a column of enemy tanks attempting to pass his position, Sergeant Duke, member of a tank destroyer battalion, pout out of commission two enemy tanks, two personnel carriers, and forced the others to withdraw. Sergeant Duke’s gun sight had been broken, but he continued firing by sighting along the barrel. His resourcefulness in preventing the enemy armor from attacking resulted in the thwarting of the enemy attack. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Duke, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.