The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Arie Schakel (ASN: 17067744), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 25 January 1945 in France. While Sergeant Schakel, acting platoon leader, and his company were moving through a town, hostile resistance was encountered. As the leading platoon worked its way through the town under enemy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire, Sergeant Schakel, who had been leading his platoon, observed that a machine gun section to the rear was pinned down by flanking fire from an enemy machine gun. He immediately returned to the machine gun section, crawled out to one of the machine guns and returned the fire. This action forced the enemy to withdraw and enabled his company to advance without further danger of flanking fire. The courage and aggressiveness displayed by Sergeant Schakel reflect highest credit on himself and the armed forces of the United States.