The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fourth Grade Fred Taeger (ASN: 32715076), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 749th Tank Battalion, 79th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 22 September 1944 in France. Under intense enemy machine gun fire, and without regard for his own safety, Technician Fourth Grade Taeger dismounted from his tank and attached a tow-cable to another tank which had bogged down in marshy ground while attempting to ford the Meurthe River to attack enemy positions on the opposite bank. His courageous action contributed materially to the successful establishment of a bridgehead across the river and saved crew and vehicle from almost certain destruction, thereby reflecting highest credit on himself and the armed forces of the United States.