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 First Class Walter T. Sitosky (ASN: 13021919), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 1278th Engineer Combat Battalion, on 20 December 1944, in Belgium. Private First Class Sitosky occupied an outpost near a vital bridge when an enemy motorized column was observed approaching his position. Armed with a rifle and hand grenades, Private First Class Sitosky, at great personal risk, engaged the enemy and assisted in knocking out a vehicle and wounding or killing several German soldiers. Ignoring heavy rifle and machine pistol fire directed upon the group, Private First Class Sitosky continued to fight off the enemy. Stranded on the enemy side of the river, Private First Class Sitosky withdrew and, after several narrow escapes from hostile patrols, made his way to the river. Heroically, he plunged into the icy waters of the swollen stream and swam to the opposite bank to rejoin his company. Private First Class Sitosky’s gallant actions aided materially in delaying the approach of the enemy, thus reflecting great credit on himself and the military service.