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 Walter R. Went, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 387th Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. On 2 May 1945, near Dehetre, Germany, Private Went was a member of a combat patrol operating with the mission of gaining contact with the enemy. When the patrol came under sniper fire Private Went put his light machine gun in action but shortly afterwards his assistant gunner was killed and Private Went was wounded by the enemy fire. Undeterred by his injury, he continued to operate his gun against the enemy until ordered by his squad leader to pull back from the fire fight for examination by a medical aid man. After hasty treatment Private Went crawled back into position and put his machine gun into action again, enabling the members of his patrol to maneuver out of the enemy fire and continue on a different route of approach. His gallantry on this occasion reflects high credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.