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 Walter C. Kos (ASN: 3121307), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 19 December 1944, in Belgium. Seeing that his platoon leader and platoon sergeant were pinned down in a savage attack which overran numerous positions and threatened to split his battalion in two, Staff Sergeant Kos heroically took command of his platoon and directed the men in destroying an enemy tank. Gallantly moving through a murderous hail of machine gun, small arms, and tank fire, he raced to a friendly tank and directed fire which knocked out two more vehicles. Staff Sergeant Kos’ heroic actions delayed the enemy long enough for a new friendly defensive line to be established. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Kos, 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.