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 (Field Artillery) Serreo S. Nelson (ASN: 0-1823192), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Reconnaissance Platoon, 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 103d Infantry Division. On 23 March 1945, in Germany, when a reconnaissance party of a task force was ambushed by 50 of the enemy and ordered to surrender, Lieutenant Nelson opened fire with his light machine gun, enabling the group to withdraw without loss. Retracing their route, the party was stopped by a wagon placed as a hasty roadblock and covered by automatic weapons fire. Lieutenant Nelson dismounted, opened fire, assisted in moving the wagon from the road and led his men safely to the rear of the task force. A short time later, the task force was subjected to enemy fire from high ground and a hostile attempt was made to free prisoners in the rear of the column. Lieutenant Nelson organized his men, returned the fire and broke up the hostile attempt. His actions reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.