The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Corps of Engineers) Preston C. Hodges (ASN: 0-1101039), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 51st Engineer Combat Battalion on 21 December 1944, in Belgium. Captain Hodges, commanding a small force of engineers, successfully defended a vital bridge against a numerically superior enemy force. Although he was constantly exposed to heavy machine gun and small arms fire, he made frequent visits among his men to encourage them and to direct their fire upon hostile targets. When wires leading to a demolition charge beneath the bridge were severed, Captain Hodges led a small group of men through heavy artillery fire to repair the wires. Although wounded during the engagement, he remained with his men until reinforcements arrived and the enemy was driven from the area.