The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade [then Private First Class] Van Campbell (ASN: 35682820), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Medical Detachment, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 5 April 1945, in the vicinity of Buchhof, Germany, Technician Fifth Grade Campbell saw men fall in an area being swept by constant machine gun and sniper fire. He crawled under fire to the wounded men, and, while administering first aid, he himself was wounded. He was told to leave but refused to do so until he had finished his work. The intrepidity with which Technician Fifth Grade Campbell performed this heroic act was in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.