The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Bernard W. Fruhwirth (ASN: 0-1017106), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the, 743d Tank Battalion (Separate), attached to the 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 24 March 1945, in Germany. Upon seeing their advance held up by three anti-tank guns, First Lieutenant Fruhwirth and two other men moved to the top of a railway embankment where they could observe enemy fire. After mortar fire had failed to clear the enemy positions, First Lieutenant Fruhwirth took a heavy machine gun from his tank and, acting as assistant gunner, fired it into the enemy, killing two and demoralizing the rest. The tanks then moved through the underpass scattering the enemy infantry before them and destroying the three anti-tank guns. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Fruhwirth, 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.