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 First Class William G. Dickens (ASN: 33651263), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division. On 25 January 1945, near Kaltenhouse, France, when the grenadier was fatally wounded while trying to fire a phosphorous rifle grenade after his platoon had become pinned down by enemy small arms fire, Private Dickens crawled forward and, exposing himself to enemy sniper fire, seized the rifle. In attempting to fire it he was struck in the head by small arms fire and was killed.