The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Benjamin L. Watkins (ASN: 0-554171), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 347th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Obergailbach, France, on 16 December 1944. While leading a platoon in a forward movement toward the objective, a hill north of Obergailbach, France, Lieutenant Watkins was pinned down by intense enemy machine gun fire. Seeing that all elements of his company were pinned down by the same fire and realizing that the hill had to be taken in order to accomplish the Battalion objective, Lieutenant Watkins arose and moved forward. His courageous and fearless leadership initiated the assault on the machine gun position and the objective was taken. The brave actions of Lieutenant Watkins reflect great credit upon his character as an officer and upon the armed forces of the United States.