The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Donald L. Shaneyfelt (ASN: 0-549484), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 16 April 1945, at Perbach, Germany. When his motorized patrol was ambushed by a superior enemy force deep in enemy territory near Perbach, Germany, Lieutenant Shaneyfelt exposed himself to the deadly enemy fire while manning a machine gun mounted on his vehicle. Realizing that his men were badly outnumbered, he sent a jeep for reinforcements and moved forward with two enlisted men to rescue five of his men who were pinned down. After tanks arrived to support him, he so skillfully directed their fire by placing himself in a completely exposed position that two machine guns were knocked out and an undetermined number of enemy were killed. By his fearless actions and courageous aggressiveness, Lieutenant Shaneyfelt enabled his men to accomplish the mission with a minimum of casualties.