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 Alexander (Alfred) McDonald, British Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Northamptonshire Regiment on the Anzio Beachhead from 10 to 20 March 1944. Private McDonald’s battalion was committed to front-line duty in a particularly active sector where there was little natural cover and in a position where all daylight movement was restricted. Communication with one company was dependent upon a single wire line, strung along a shallow wadi. This line was cut repeatedly and communications interrupted as a result of enemy shelling. For five successive nights Private McDonald worked under intense and continuous enemy shell fire and over ground covered by active enemy machine gun fire in order to keep this line in repair, once laboring for nine consecutive hours before communications were restored. On the third night, Private McDonald was grazed four times by shell fragments, but he nevertheless continued his task with determination, courage, and complete disregard for personal safety.