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 (Field Artillery) Paul H. Bassett (ASN: 0-1171452), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 6 and 7 February 1945 in Luxembourg. On 6 February 1945, when the town of Haller, Luxembourg, was heavily interdicted by enemy artillery fire, Lieutenant Bassett voluntarily and with utter disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to this fire by examining the area into which the rounds were falling to obtain shell reports. On 7 February 1945, he again braved continuous artillery fire to measure shell craters to make a report. On both occasions the data obtained proved most useful to the corps counter battery section in neutralizing enemy batteries. The courage, initiative, and steadfast devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Bassett were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.