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] Hershel A. Woolman (ASN: 35839060), United States Army, for gallantry in action. On 16 March 1945 near Gumbrechtshaffen, France, two platoons of Company A, 411th Infantry Regiment, 103d Infantry Division were pinned down by machine gun and small arms fire. Sergeant Woolman, disregarding the enemy fire, moved from his flank position and firing his machine gun from the hip forced the enemy to surrender. His actions enabled the company to continued its advance. Sergeant Woolman’s 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, his unit, and the United States Army.