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 Howard E. Rowatt (ASN: 36684877), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Military Police Platoon, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 6 April 1945 at Veitschochheim, Germany. Sergeant Rowatt, accompanying an officer and three other men, rowed boldly across the Main River to attempt to induce the enemy garrison at Veitschochheim to surrender. After three tense hours, surrounded by an overwhelmingly superior armed enemy, the surrender was accomplished. Despite the ever-present danger from a fanatical SS squad covering the return route with a machine gun, he boldly assisted in ferrying his prisoners across the river. By his extraordinary heroism and selfless determination, Sergeant Rowatt assisted in securing the surrender of the town, the capture of two officers, and 129 enlisted men, and the liberation of six American prisoners of war.