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 (Infantry) Alvan Eugene Squires (ASN: 0-1325347), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division during operations on Hill 301 on 15 March 1945. First Lieutenant Squires led his men against the enemy who were in strong dugouts. The movement was made in the face of withering machine gun, rile and intensive mortar fire. Many times Lieutenant Squires was in front of his troops, urging them on when the going seemed impossible. The objective as just to the left of Hill 301, which was a roadblock on the Reiperswiller Road in France. The enemy had a machine gun dug in defense of the roadblock. The machine gun had the company stopped. Lieutenant Squires asked for four men to volunteer to go with him to knock out the machine gun. He led the four men and successfully flanked the machine gun and knocked it out. The company was then free to maneuver on to its next objective, which was to secure another hill, just past Hill 301. His company had suffered heavy casualties due to the preceding action, but he successfully deployed his men and weapons on the crest of the hill and with his property decisions for the use of cannon and artillery fire, repulsed two enemy counter attacks and discouraged any attempt on the enemy’s part to dislodge his company from the objective that had been assigned to him and the he had taken. 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, his unit, and the United States Army.