The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ernest G. Zeek, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with a military operation against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 387th Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division. While leading his platoon in an attack on Heuboddenburg, Germany, on 9 April 1945, Lieutenant Zeek and his men came under heavy fire from 20-mm. and machine gun fire which halted their advance. Arming himself with an automatic rifle, Lieutenant Zeek fearlessly moved forward alone to a position 200 yards away from which he could place fire upon an enemy 20-mm. gun. From a standing position Lieutenant Zeek killed the enemy gunner, wounded an assistant and forced the withdrawal of the rest of the gun crew. With heavy small arms and artillery fire falling about him, Lieutenant Zeek kept up a persistent fire and effectively stopped several attempts on the part of the enemy to put the gun into operation again. Lieutenant Zeek’s aggressiveness and gallantry on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.