The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) William Vincent Cummings (ASN: 0-551805), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a Chaplain with the 409th Infantry Regiment, 103d Infantry Division, action from 26 November 1944 to May 1945. Throughout the operations in France, Germany, and Austria, Chaplain Cummings remained with the advance aid station of the 1st Battalion, 409th Infantry, comforting the wounded and aiding the Battalion Surgeon. On one occasion when a man was seriously wounded by a mine, he accompanied the Surgeon into the mine field. Although a detonated mine wounded him and mortally wounded the Battalion Surgeon, Chaplain Cummings, despite his own painful injury, administered aid and comforted the man. His unselfish actions materially contributed to the high morale within the battalion. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Cummings, 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.