The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Private First Class] Lawrence C. Silva (ASN: 39716641), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Germany. At 1230 hours, 21 March 1945, dujring an attack on an enemy convoy in Thal, Germany, Sergeant Silva left his cover and walked int othe middle of the street to silence hostile soldiers who were bombarding his Company Command Post with panzefaust and small arms fire. Within fifty yards of the enemy he halted, and although all types of enemy fire converged upon him, barely missing him, fired his heavy machine gun from the hip, killing five enemy, wounding two, and forcing others to withdraw from the immediate area. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.