The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) William J. Rochelle (ASN: 0-1283492), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division. On 11 January 1945, at Hatten, France, Captain Rochelle was in command of approximately fifty men of his and other companies in a building which was being subjected to heavy 88-mm. and machine gun fire from a German tank. With utter disregard for his own safety and in the face of heavy enemy fire Captain Rochelle organized the evacuation of the men and, after ascertaining that all personnel had been evacuated, led the men to safety through enemy lines.