The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Walter D. Macht (ASN: 0-389163), 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 7 October 1944, in Germany. First Lieutenant Macht was commanding a group of tanks giving support to an infantry battalion when the sector was subjected to an intense enemy counterattack with a considerable number of tanks and supporting infantrymen. Within a few minutes, the enemy had overrun the outer defenses and were threatening an area which included two infantry company command posts. Although outnumbered, First Lieutenant Macht maneuvered his tanks into position immediately and directed fires at point blank range rather than withdraw. Not only were the enemy tanks engaged, but heavy machine gun fire was directed on the advancing enemy infantrymen. After three of the hostile tanks had been destroyed, and many casualties inflicted on the accompanying troops, the disorganized enemy withdrew. First Lieutenant Macht’s outstanding bravery in the face of a numerically superior foe turned the enemy attack into a decisive defeat and enabled friendly infantry troops to consolidate their positions to meet any additional enemy attempt. The bravery, aggressive determination, and exemplary leadership exhibited by First Lieutenant Macht reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.