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 Staff Sergeant Paul C. MacDonald (ASN: 31250726), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company E, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 10 July 1944, near *****, Italy. Staff Sergeant MacDonald led his rifle squad on the left flank of the First Platoon of Company E. He placed his squad on high ground to give supporting fire to the rest of the platoon, which was attacking the company objective. As the platoon neared the top of the objective, they were pinned to the ground by deadly fire from four enemy machine guns. Staff Sergeant MacDonald immediately led his men through heavy artillery and small arms fire to a position where they could return the enemy fire. Then, because his platoon had also come under a withering enemy barrage, Staff Sergeant MacDonald, with no regard for his own safety, rushed forward over open ground swept by intense grazing machine gun fire to a point from which he could see the enemy mortars in a draw to the right front of the objective. With accurate fire from his M-1 rifle, Staff Sergeant MacDonald personally killed six of the enemy and forced the others to retreat, thus saving the lives of many of his comrades. After routing the enemy mortars, he withdrew through devastating machine gun fire and rejoined his squad. He then moved his squad to another position in order to give supporting fire to the platoon, who were forced to withdraw because they had expended all their ammunition. He and the squad remained at this position until the platoon had reached a place of safety. The magnificent courage, superb initiative, quick and decisive action displayed by Staff Sergeant MacDonald was an inspiration and an example to the offices and men in the company, and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.