The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Beverly M. Griffin (ASN: 33451060), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 15 January 1945, near Runtzenheim, France. Sergeant Griffin, leader of a heavy machine gun squad, was defending a pillbox in the Maginot Line when a German patrol was observed approaching the position on a side from which it was not possible to fire. Sergeant Griffin immediately volunteered to leave the pillbox and set up his machine gun on the top, in full view of the enemy. While setting up the gun he was the target for enemy fire, but he persisted in his efforts and soon brought rapid and accurate fire on the attacking Germans. By his courage and devotion to duty he repulsed the enemy attack, killing four men and forcing the remaining sixteen to surrender.