The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Ozema Sonnier (ASN: 38171098), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 169th Infantry Regiment, 43d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 17 January 1945. When communications with his company headquarters were destroyed, and several casualties were incurred during an enemy attack against the defensive positions, Sergeant Sonnier, a squad leader, volunteered to travel across an open field under heavy enemy fire to company headquarters. Upon returning he was mortally wounded, but managed to reach his platoon with the necessary information concerning the enemy situation, and with blood plasma for casualties, before he died. This act of gallantry on the part of Sergeant Sonnier in a voluntary attempt to obtain information and aid his wounded comrades, reflects the greatest credit upon himself and the Military Service.