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 Private First Class] Frank C. Brakefield (ASN: 35656439), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 2 October 1944, in Germany. When his company was held up, due to heavy enemy fire from a machine gun nest during an attack on the Siegfried Line, Sergeant Brakefield aggressively ran and crawled a considerable distance in front of his comrades to attack the machine gun nest single-handed, using hand grenades. As a result of his daring, the enemy gun and crew were destroyed and his company was able to continue the assault. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Brakefield, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.