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 Private First Class Damon L. Minton (ASN: 35827210), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 17 March 1945 in the Hardt Mountains, France. During the advance through the Hardt Mountains, Private Minton repeatedly exposed himself to heavy machine gun and small arms fire to find the best location from which his machine gun could lay down a base of fire to neutralize enemy positions and cover the advance of troops. After successfully protecting an assault on an enemy machine gun emplacement and a command post, he was moving forward toward a hill position, when he came under sniper fire and was mortally wounded. By his outstanding bravery and self-sacrifice, Private Minton enabled his Company to crush the enemy defenses.