The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant [then Sergeant] Lewis H. Gallien (ASN: 31111012), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 15 March 1945, near Reipertswiller, France. During the fierce and bitter fighting for Hill 301, Sergeant Gallien’s squad was pinned down by intense machine gun fire coming from well dug-in positions up the hill directly to the front. Fearlessly advancing up to a machine gun nest, he threw several hand grenades into the position, silencing the gun and forcing seven nearby enemy soldiers to surrender. He then led his squad in the final, successful assault of the Hill. Sergeant Gallien’s exceptional courage and gallantry under fire in the face of the enemy played a major role in the continued advance of our forces against the determined enemy resistance.