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 [then Sergeant] Werner Goertz (ASN: 42013550), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 21 August 1944, in France. Staff Sergeant Goertz was serving as communications sergeant with a rifle company which was deployed in attack toward an enemy-held village. During the advance, Staff Sergeant Goertz and his comrades surprised an enemy column, which was in retreat. In the fire fight which followed, numerous casualties were inflicted on both sides. Realizing that the enemy was numerically superior, Staff Sergeant Goertz nevertheless braved the fire from both the enemy and his own guns and exposed himself, calling upon the enemy to surrender. As a result of his courageous act, eighty-eight of the enemy were persuaded to surrender, and the beleaguered remnants withdrew hastily, leaving behind valuable stores of wagons, records, equipment, weapons, ammunition, and other material. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Goertz, 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.