The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class [then Private] Anseimo Gonzales, Jr. (ASN: 17092108), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Scout with Company L, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 28 October 1944, Private First Class Gonzales braved machine gun and small arms fire and mortar shells that burst 20 yards from him, in order to ascertain the disposition of enemy forces on a hill near Vidonchamp, France. Crawling forward 50 yards, he opened fire with his rifle at one enemy machine gun position 35 yards away, killing all three of the crew and silencing the weapon. Upon rejoining his squad, he directed mortar fire at a second machine gun position he had noted, silencing this weapon. By eliminating these positions, he enabled his company to resume its attack, in which 16 hostile machine guns were destroyed and 32 prisoners were 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 and the United States Army.