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 Louis R. Gerlach (ASN: 33711723), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 26 January 1945 near Haguenau, France. On 26 January 1945 the 2d Platoon of Company M, 242d Infantry was in position near a factory occupied by the enemy southeast of Haguenau, France. Heavy enemy sniper and mortar fire had forced abandonment of the left machine gun of the 2d Section. When the 3rd Platoon, Company L, 242d Infantry, was ordered to attack the enemy position and needed the fire from this gun, Private Gerlach volunteered for the extremely dangerous assignment. Crossing over open ground in full view of the enemy, he reached the machine gun and, in the face of intense fire from enemy snipers, mortars, and automatic weapons, manned the gun and supported the attack to a successful conclusion.