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 Louis Kapp (ASN: 35833403), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division, in action near Chateau Bonnefontaine, France, on 25 November 1944. On 25 November 1944, in the vicinity of Chateau Bonnefontaine, Private First Class Kapp, a Headquarters Company cannoneer acting as a bazooka gunner attached to a rifle company, undertook to neutralize an enemy tank which had inflicted casualties on his company and temporarily halted its advance. Crawling through the densely wooded sector, Private First Class Kapp reached a point approximately ten yards from theirthe enemy vehicle. From that position, he succeeded in disabling and immobilizing the tank. However, the hostile vehicle continued to operate as a pillbox and by fire halted the advance of an adjacent friendly infantry company. That night, Private First Class Kapp remained with a small group to cover the movement of the rifle unit to alternate positions by engaging the enemy tank in a fire fight. Two of the men with Private First Class Kapp were killed by the direct tank fire and the enemy succeeded in surrounding and disorganizing the protective group. During the early morning hours, Private First Class Kapp assumed command of the remaining men and personally directed and covered successfully their infiltration through enemy lines. Left alone and pinned down by direct enemy fire, Private First Class Kapp decided to attempt to break through the ring of enemy encircling him. At that moment, several of the enemy tried to overrun his position and were killed by Private First Class Kapp’s devastating fire. Private First Class Kapp then rose from his position, and, with complete disregard for his own safety, dashed toward the enemy, firing his rifle as he ran. Despite the intense enemy machine gun, 20-mm. and rifle fire directed on him, Private First Class Kapp raced on until he successfully broke through the hostile line. Reaching the lines of his own unit, Private First Class Kapp reported the exact location of two wounded friendly soldiers whom he had noted as he sped to his own lines. Private First Class Kapp’s accurate data enabled a patrol to quickly locate and evacuate the casualties. His outstanding courage under fire, strong initiative and aggressiveness in action reflect the highest credit up0on Private First Class Kapp and the Armed Forces of the United States.