The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Gerald W. Heath (ASN: 35313065), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 11 November 1944 in France. On that date, the company to which Staff Sergeant Heath was assigned as a Platoon Guide was assaulting a German held village. Upon observing enemy soldiers entering the cellar of a building some 200 yards within the village, Staff Sergeant Heath and a comrade advanced through the intensive enemy fire covering the sector and threw hand grenades into the shelter thereby capturing fifty enemy soldiers and four officers. The initiative and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Heath were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.