The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Wayne T. Alderson, United States Army, for gallantry in action from 15 March to 18 March 1945, during the Rhineland Campaign during World War II. Private First Class Alderson, First Scout of Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, was the first infantry soldier to advance across the Siegfried Line, the enemy’s strongest and first line of defense. During the first three days of fierce and close-in combat, Private Alderson single-handedly inflicted numerous casualties on the enemy and destroyed two machine gun nests. Advancing further into Germany, killing more enemy soldiers in close house-to-house combat and capturing three enemy soldiers, Private Alderson, at great personal risk, led them back to the First Battalion’s headquarters where vital information was obtained by the Allies about the Siegfried Line defenses. On the fourth day of the advance, Private Alderson volunteered to lead a surprise frontal assault on the Siegfried Line, running head on into a Germany counter-attack. The small and outnumbered patrol engaged the larger enemy force in bitter combat at point-blank range. Private Alderson, fully exposed and vastly outnumbered, charged the enemy force and entered into a fierce fire fight at close range, beating back the attack and inflicting thirty-five casualties on the advancing enemy. This defeat of the counter-attack helped secure the breakthrough of the Siegfried Line. While continuing to advance on the retreating enemy, Private Alderson was seriously injured when an enemy grenade exploded at his feet. Though suffering serious head wounds, Private Alderson crawled back through the trenches to brief his Company Commander of the events that occurred. The gallant and courageous actions displayed by Private Alderson are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit on himself, the 7th Infantry Regiment, and the Army of the United States.