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 Private William E. Stem (ASN: 39564723), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Medical Aidman with the 63d Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy near Rechrival, Belgium, on 31 December 1944. Private Stem, while serving as an aid man with Company A, 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion, was called upon continuously to render medical aid to the wounded. He moved among the wounded affording first aid and assisting in their removal to evacuation vehicles. By his complete devotion to duty and disregard to personal safety, under intense mortar and artillery fire, he rendered aid to the wounded, thereby saving lives which might have been lost. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.