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 Martin L. Collier (ASN: 14035932), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 25 August 1944 in France. Sergeant Collier volunteered to lead a five-man patrol in an attempt to discover any possible enemy movement in a wooded area one thousand yards in advance of his company’s position. Having made arrangements to report his progress by radio as he traversed each hundred yards, the patrol advanced, by-passing several enemy outposts. Once in the wood the patrol came upon a recently dug mortar emplacement, and soon the men heard enemy troops moving about. Realizing that his only chance of guising the patrol’s presence was by remaining motionless, Sergeant Collier kept his patrol quiet and in hiding for an hour and a half, despite enemy soldiers who passed within ten yards of his position. Although the patrol was discovered just as it left the wood, he was able to return it to safety by covering the withdrawal with his automatic rifle. The courage and cool leadership displayed by Sergeant Collier reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.