The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Corporal] W. Robert Ostermann (ASN: 0-2019772), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 9 November 1944, in Berg, France. While advancing into the town of Berg, France, under heavy mortar and artillery fire with the leading element of the 43d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Corporal Ostermann and another soldier were faced by sudden and intense enemy machine gun fire coming from dug-in positions. Directing his comrade to lay down a base of fire covering him, he fearlessly advanced on the enemy emplacement and killed the machine gun crew with a hand grenade and a burst from his sub machine gun. While clearing the first building, Corporal Ostermann was faced with five heavily armed Germans. He attempted to fire his weapon, but it had jammed. After only a moment’s hesitation, he stepped boldly forward and menaced the enemy group with his useless weapon, motioning them to drop their guns. The stunned soldiers hesitated slightly and then dropped their arms without firing a shot. Corporal Ostermann’s indomitable courage and gallantry in the face of superior odds reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.