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 Lonnie Cheatwood (ASN: 38224825), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 290th Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy on 25 December 1944, in and near Odienga, Belgium. As a member of a patrol Sergeant Cheatwood, eleven of his fellow soldiers and the platoon leader, left the Company Command Post with the mission to destroy four German Tiger tanks, located two miles in the rear of the German lines with rocket launchers. Unable to locate the enemy tanks the patrol leader contacted the Command Post and was given the new mission of keeping the road to Odienga open. Moving quickly toward the town this patrol encountered in succession, three machine gun nests, numerous outposts and a well-concealed 88-mm. gun emplacement and efficiently liquidated all of them. Rounding a bend in the road, Sergeant Cheatwood and his comrades surprised a column of enemy troops and directed a withering fire which killed and wounded many and sent the remainder into disorganized flight. The patrol then entered the town and destroyed a force of fanatical SS troopers and approximately 35 vehicles which were parked outside of SS headquarters. The courage and gallantry displayed by Sergeant Cheatwood reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.