The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Joseph F. Garger (ASN: 33266720), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 18 March 1945, in the Hardt Mountains, France. While laying a wire line behind the Battalion Command Group during a night offensive through the Hardt Mountains, Private Garger and his wire team were subjected to the murderous fire of an enemy ambush. After returning the fire, Private Garger searched the area for his comrades, finding one dead and the other wounded. When the Germans again opened fire, he interposed his body between his wounded comrade and the impact area and both feigned death. The enemy soldiers then came forward and stripped all three Americans of their weapons and equipment. As the patrol moved away, satisfied that their victims were dead, Private Garger seized an undetected hand grenade and hurled it into the enemy group, killing one, wounding two, and forcing the remainder to flee into the darkness. He then carried his wounded comrade to a position of comparative safety from where he was evacuated for medical treatment. Private Garger’s gallant actions reflect the highest credit on himself and upheld the finest traditions of the United States Army.