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 Lionel W. Cooke (ASN: 33096142), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Headquarters, 49th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 5 March 1945. While serving as Platoon Sergeant of an assault gun platoon, Sergeant Cooke was delivering supporting fire for an infantry company. During the action he noticed that an infantryman a short distance from his tank was severely wounded. He left the safety of his tank and under a hail of enemy machine gun and small arms fire, he lifted the wounded man to the bustle of the tank. Then shielding the man behind the turret, Sergeant Cooke directed the tank to a covered position where medical aid men took charge of the casualty. Sergeant Cooke acted without consideration for his own safety and his actions reflect credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.