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 [then Private First Class] Wallace W. Hornbeak (ASN: 38665271), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 9 April 1945, in the vicinity of Stein, Germany. When enemy fire had inflicted heavy casualties on his squad, killing the squad leader, Sergeant Hornbeak gathered the remaining members of his squad together, took command and subsequently led them in several assaults on enemy machine gun positions. His actions contributed directly toward the capture of the enemy objective. Sergeant Hornbeak’s leadership and outstanding courage under fire reflect credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.