The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Nicholas J. Prokop (ASN: 33594448), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy in Germany on 5 March 1945. Sergeant Prokop, a squad leader, was assigned the mission of seizing enemy-occupied houses. He led his men through intense enemy fire to the point of action. It was necessary for Sergeant Prokop to return and reorganize those who had been cut off by machine gun fire. Exposing himself to accomplish this, he was wounded by small arms fire. Disregarding his wound and refusing aid, he continued. While leading his squad in the ensuing action, Sergeant Prokop was mortally wounded. His extreme devotion to duty, without thought of self, is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.