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 Private First Class Louis E. Winesett (ASN: 333532310), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 17 April 1945, in Italy. With his platoon attacking strongly fortified enemy positions, Private First Class Winesett was pinned down by a murderous concentration of enemy mortar, machine gun, sniper and grenade fire. The fire came from well-concealed positions and was inflicting numerous casualties on the men. But, because withdrawal meant moving across 30 yards of completely exposed terrain, the platoon had to remain under the hail of fire. Private First Class Winesett saw the protective fire of the other two platoons was ineffective and, although severely wounded, he bravely crawled forward to a dangerously exposed knoll and placed accurate fire on nearby enemy emplacements, causing several casualties among the Germans. Private First Class Winesett’s heroic action caused the enemy to concentrate their heavy fire on his position, which killed him, but permitted the rest of the platoon to reach cover safely. The magnificent courage and supreme devotion to duty displayed by Private First Class Winesett will long be remembered by the officers and men of his company. 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.