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 Herbert M. Peters (ASN: 17085243), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 25 January 1945 near Kaltenhaus, France. In the face of an enemy attack, Private Peters moved his machine gun from a prepared position into the open to fire more effectively against the enemy. When his gun jammed, he dismantled and cleaned it, then resumed firing. Upon the destruction of the gun by enemy mortar fire, Private Peters obtained an automatic rifle and continued the fight. When this weapon in turn was disabled he seized a rifle and returned to the fight. Constantly exposing himself to enemy artillery, mortar, automatic weapons, and small arms fire, Private Peters was mortally wounded.