The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant Paul Pudelka (ASN: 36648976), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 3 April 1945, in Germany. Sergeant Pudelka’s squad was withdrawing under covering machine gun fire from a sector in which it had encountered unexpectedly heavy enemy resistance when the operator of the machine gun was killed. Realizing the urgency of keeping the gun in action to protect the withdrawal, Sergeant Pudelka courageously advanced through heavy fire to the machine gun and reopened fire. Although the enemy fire passed so close to him that is helmet was knocked off his head, he resolutely continued firing until all his men had safely withdrawn. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Pudelka, 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.