The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Donald Haldeman Baumer (ASN: 0-22987), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United States while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 343d Infantry Regiment, 86th Infantry Division, in action in Germany on 28 April 1945. When the advance of his battalion into ****, Germany, was halted by stubborn enemy resistance, Lieutenant Colonel Baumer braved intense shellfire to advance ahead of his troops and make a personal reconnaissance of the fortifications surrounding the town. Returning to our lines he directed the deployment of a platoon in position to scale the walls. Again going forward alone, Lieutenant Colonel Baumer boldly approached and entered a partially blocked tunnel and discovered that it led to an unoccupied building within the hostile defenses. He quickly summoned another platoon to advance upon the town through this unprotected entrance. When a sniper fired upon his troops from a rear position, Lieutenant Colonel Baumer crossed fire-swept terrain and killed him. Skillfully and gallantly maneuvering his men he rendered the enemy position untenable. At the height of the renewed offensive, Lieutenant Colonel Baumer demanded and received the surrender of the entire German garrison of the city. His heroic leadership, fearless courage and outstanding devotion to duty were an inspiration to his men and are worthy of highest praise.