The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant William J. Brazeau (ASN: 36658435), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 12 April 1945, in Germany. Staff Sergeant Brazeau and his comrades, after volunteering to go on a patrol to contact another company that it could aid in keeping the enemy from demolishing a vital bridge, gallantly moved for more than a mile under savage enemy fire and past numerous outposts to arrive at the company position. They then seized the bridge and heroically withstood numerous attempts by the enemy to retake it. Staff Sergeant Brazeu’s stand under continual and murderous fire kept an entire enemy garrison from escaping and yielded an important bridge which allowed a swift attack into enemy territory. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Brazeau, 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.