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 Ralph T. Bowers (ASN: 33835800), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 23 January 1945, near Ostheim, France, Private First Class Bowers single-handedly attacked an enemy machine gun which had killed 1 soldier, wounded 10 more, and forced the other members of his platoon to seek cover in a ditch. Although bullets skimmed over his head, he crawled to a point 35 yards from the enemy, and loaded his bazooka. Then, rising to his knee, he fired one round into the hostile gun emplacement, killing the gunner and wounding his assistant. With the enemy weapon silenced, his platoon was able to resume its advance. 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.