The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal George C. Tagge (ASN: 36688979), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 142d Engineer Combat Battalion, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 15 March 1945 near Althorn, France. Corporal Tagge was a member of a mine-sweeping detachment covering the road from Althorn to Mouterhous, France, under heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire. After sweeping over 750 yards the detachment was subjected to direct fire from hostile automatic weapons and snipers in an old mill. A road block of 24 enemy mines prevented the friendly tanks from taking the mill under fire. Disregarding the enemy fire and the danger from the mines, Corporal Tagge, after repeated attempts, succeeded in removing twelve of the mines that were connected by a string, enabling the lead tank to move into a position from where it could fire upon the mill. Again exposing himself to the enemy artillery fire that had pinned down the remainder of the detachment, Corporal Tagge removed the other twelve mines, throwing them off the road and enabling the other troops to withdraw to safety. His outstanding courage and technical skill were responsible for the safety of a number of our troops and contributed greatly to the successful advance of the Division.