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 Private Zachariah W. McCall (ASN: 34208794), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action on 31 October 1944 in France. When the 1st Battalion was surrounded by hostile troops, the remainder of the 141st Infantry Regiment attacked stubbornly defended enemy positions in an attempt to reach the beleaguered unit. The regimental command post was subjected to heavy artillery shelling which chattered the communications wires to the attacking battalions. Aware of the necessity for maintaining contact, Private McCall, a wire jeep driver, readily joined two other soldiers in repairing the line. Without a thought for personal safety, he left his covered position and moved fearlessly through the incessant artillery barrage. While repairing a break in the wire, he was mortally wounded by a nearby shell explosion. Private McCall’s dauntless courage and outstanding devotion to duty inspired his comrades to redouble their efforts and maintain the vital communications.