The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant Paul E. Helms (ASN: 33622266), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On the night of 23 January 1945, near Ostheim, France, Sergeant Helms set up a heavy machine gun on level wooded terrain and engaged an enemy force of 40 to 50 men emplaced in a trench 50 yards away. Although his machine gun had a stoppage almost immediately, he stood up amid a hail of machine pistol and rifle bullets, and killed or wounded at least four Germans with his M-1 rifle. Dashing 50 yards to the rear through small arms fire that barely missed him, Sergeant Helms procured another machine gun from a friendly unit and returned to his former position. For 20 minutes, he directed such devastating fire that many of the Germans were killed or wounded and the rest were forced to flee. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
SergeantBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
7th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 206 (1944)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Paul E. Helms (ASN: 33622266), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
SergeantBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
7th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
January 23, 1945
Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 371 (1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant Paul E. Helms (ASN: 33622266), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.