The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Earl W. Stowe (ASN: 37772105), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 19 April 1945 at Dambach, Germany. In the attack on the town the third platoon encountered an enemy road block, covered by two machine guns, a rocket launcher and four riflemen. Sergeant Stowe crawled forward to a position from which he could observe the enemy, then threw a grenade that killed two and caused three more to surrender, disorganizing the hostile defenses. He advanced further under fire from the other gun and cleared the position, killing four more of the enemy. Sergeant Stowe’s coolness under hostile fire and his gallant actions were determining factors in the capture of the town.