The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Delmar G. Thornton (ASN: 0-2005589), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 17th Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division, in action in Germany. On the night of 5 April 1945, Lieutenant Thornton’s platoon was the lead platoon of a company attack on the town of Wilmeringhausen, Germany. When within 500 yards of the town, Lieutenant Thornton discovered the terrain to be far different from that shown on the map and the planned route of attack impossible due to terrain difficulties. The darkness rendered mounted reconnaissance useless and made it imperative that an alternate route be sought on foot. Knowing that one man stood a better chance of escaping detection by the enemy, Lieutenant Thornton instructed his platoon to wait and, alone, set out to seek a route into the town. Lieutenant Thornton evaded detection by great skill and daring and after extensive movement behind the enemy lines, found an approach suitable for tanks on the opposite edge of town. Returning to the tank column, he led them over the route he had covered in an attack that routed the enemy defenders and speedily won the objective with a minimum of casualties. By his heroic and gallant action Lieutenant Thornton enabled the company to seize, consolidate and defend the objective from a strong counter-attack that soon followed. Second Lieutenant Thornton’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 7th Armored Division, and the United States Army.