The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Claude Birkett Ferenbaugh (ASN: 0-12479), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 83d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 12 July 1944, near ****, France. General Ferenbaugh, the Assistant Division Commander, was in temporary command of the **** Infantry Regiment. When the advance of the regiment, just north of ****, France, was threatened by twelve enemy tanks in support of enemy infantry, General Ferenbaugh went immediately to the forward elements to take personal command. Disregarding the heavy enemy fire to which he was exposed, he walked among the men encouraging them and bolstering their spirits and giving detailed advice for overcoming the enemy resistance. General Ferenbaugh’s presence with the frontline troops, many of whom were inexperienced in actual combat, his obvious disregard for his own safety and his cool determination to rout the enemy, inspired the men to aggressively continue the attack to its successful completion. In the course of the action, seven of the enemy tanks were destroyed and the remaining five withdrew. General Ferenbaugh’s conspicuous leadership and personal courage constituted a determining factor in the success of the operations and reflects great credit upon himself and the finest traditions of the military service.