The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Erwin A. McHenney (ASN: 36401549), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 410th Infantry Regiment, 103d Infantry Division. On 23 April 1945, near Behringen, Germany, Company C was pinned down by heavy enemy machine gun fire and Private McHenney voluntarily took command of a squad when the squad leader and assistant squad leader were wounded. Locating the hostile position by purposely exposing himself, he fired his BAR, killing the crew of the gun, wounding two members of the crew of the second gun and forcing 14 of the enemy to surrender. Private McHenney’s aggressive actions which enabled the company to accomplish its mission reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.