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 Fred E. Guenther (ASN: 37151443), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 776th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 17 March 1945, in the vicinity of Ommersheim, Germany. Called upon by an infantry officer to bring fire on enemy machine gun nests and pillboxes, Sergeant Guenther, disregarding his personal safety and under intense enemy artillery and mortar fire, made a foot reconnaissance to find the best possible firing positions for his tank destroyer. He led it to a firing position on the forward slope, knowing that he would probably draw direct fire. Exposing himself by standing in the turret he directed the fire of his tank destroyer and succeeded in knocking out the machine gun nests and pillboxes, allowing the infantry to breach the Seigfried Line. When his 90 millimeter gun became overheated and failed to fire he further exposed himself on the deck of the destroyer to fire the .50 caliber machine gun at enemy personnel. Sergeant Guenther’s superior leadership, courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.