The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Claude E. Townsend (ASN: 37155204), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 27 April 1945, near Ob-Peiching, Germany. When another platoon of his company was held up by heavy enemy fire, Sergeant Townsend led his platoon on a flanking attack of the enemy’s position. Exposing himself to intense bazooka, machine gun and sniper fire, he directed such persistent and accurate rifle fire on the enemy that his platoon was able to advance and take up firing positions. After personally killing six of the enemy and disorganizing their defensive positions, Sergeant Townsend was mortally wounded by sniper fire. Sergeant Townsend, by his indomitable courage and leadership, thus made a major contribution to the successful completion of his company’s combat mission.