The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Vance M. Hinch (ASN: 34190694), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Battery D, 796th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (Self-Propelled), 10th Armored Division, at Crailsheim, Germany, on 10 April 1945. Braving fierce hostile fire, Staff Sergeant Hinch courageously directed fire upon attacking enemy forces, preventing the severing of supply routes. His gallant achievement reflects great credit upon himself and the military forces of the United States.