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 William E. Burns (ASN: 35514560), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 17 March 1945, in the Hardt Mountains, France. When his platoon was ordered to clean out an enemy position that had held up his company’s advance, Private Burns crawled forward across open terrain under enemy fire to an exposed position within close range of the strong-point. Firing his automatic rifle so effectively that he killed one of the enemy and held the others down in their position, he enabled the rest of his squad to work its way around one flank where it destroyed the enemy emplacement. While participating in the action, Private Burns was mortally wounded. His heroic self-sacrifice and unfailing devotion to duty are worthy of the highest praise.