The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Donald F. Brian, United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 409th Infantry Regiment, 103d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy, on 18 and 19 December 1944, near Dorrenbach, Germany. His platoon attacked along the Siegfried Line on 18 December and captured pillboxes. The next day, strong enemy counterattacks recaptured all but one of the pillboxes. Determined to find out whether the lone position was still holding, he advanced forward of it covered by two riflemen. As he approached the position, he was critically wounded by enemy machine-gun fire. Later, when the position was secured, he was missing. Sergeant Brian’s initiative and creative leadership reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.