The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant William R. Powell (ASN: 20529054), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 5 March 1945, in the vicinity of Sarreguemines, France. While his company was attacking, the enemy counterattacked. Sergeant Powell, with utter disregard for personal safety, stood up and, advancing through intense machine gun and artillery fire, placed his men in position to successfully repel the counterattack. Later, he administered aid to a severely wounded man whom the medical aid men had been unable to reach. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.