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 Wesley A. Schukei (ASN: 37750814), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division in Germany, on 12 February 1945, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States. On 12 February 1945, as his company was forming for an attack near Biesdorf, Germany, an enemy counterattack developed on one flank. Private Schukei, an automatic rifleman, perceiving this serous threat, voluntarily took a position from which he could effectively fire on the enemy and disorganized their attack. Despite the intense fire directed at him and the lack of available aid, Private Schukei continued to repulse the enemy for six hours. His courage, initiative, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces of the United States.