The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Laurence Landgraf (ASN: 39201858), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 11 March 1945, at Althorn, France. Sergeant Landgraf was a squad leader in a patrol sent out to locate and eliminate certain German machine gun and mortar positions. When the patrol contacted the enemy, it came under intense mortar and machine gun fire, and Sergeant Landgraf was severely wounded. Declining evacuation for medical treatment, he remained with his squad, successfully directing and concentrating their fire on the enemy positions and, when several of his men were wounded, he exposed himself to the enemy fire to give them first aid. By his outstanding courage and devotion to duty, Sergeant Landgraf insured the success of his squad and saved several fellow soldiers from possible death or capture.