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] Rex H. Mabry (ASN: 37003113), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 23 December 1944, in Belgium. While preceding the advance of his platoon as first scout, Sergeant Mabry suddenly found himself confronting an enemy machine gun position. The surprised crew of the gun suddenly opened fire on him. Without hesitation, Sergeant Mabry rushed the gun in the face of the fire, hurled a grenade at the position, and then closed in and forced the surrender of the two surviving enemy. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private Mabry, 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.