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 Fred Toensjost, Jr. (ASN: 19075164), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on the night of 4 April 1945, near ****, Germany. After crossing the Rhine River, the patrol of which Private Toensjost was a member was met by close range fire from three machine guns and he was wounded. Despite this, he advanced on the enemy and silenced two of the machine guns, enabling the patrol to reorganize. Private Toensjost continued as advance scout for a distance of two thousand yards through the enemy positions. The mission completed, the patrol returned to the river through an increasingly active enemy. Private Toensjost fought a delaying action in the rear until the patrol was embarked. His gallant conduct and courageous aggressiveness throughout this action permitted the patrol to secure important information and reflect credit on the man and the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.