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 [then Corporal] Joseph LaFontaine (ASN: 31380168), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with 42d Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 23 April 1945 near Heilagen, Germany. While on a route reconnaissance, Sergeant LaFontaine’s platoon was fired on by enemy troops in well dug in positions along the edge of a wooded area. During a brief lull in the ensuing fire fight two officers, apparently unaware of the battle, drove by and continued ahead about 300 yards before they were forced to abandon their vehicle and take cover from renewed enemy fire. Rapidly sizing up the situation and seeing that the officers were hopelessly pinned down and faced with capture or injury, Sergeant LaFontaine and another enlisted man seized a machine gun and proceeded up the road into the enemy fire, set up their weapon in an exposed spot and sprayed the enemy positions, covering the safe retreat of the officers, after which they withdrew and rejoined their platoon. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant LaFontaine saved two officers from death or capture and is exemplary of the finest traditions of the Rainbow Division.