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 Gerald L. Schira (ASN: 36864243), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 16 March 1945 in Germany. During the attack on Weiskirchen, Germany, on 16 March 1945, Private First Class Schira was serving as a rifleman with a company that was delayed by a well hidden enemy weapon. Immediately, Private First Class Schira dropped to the street, attached a grenade to his rifle, and, despite the intense fire directed at him, destroyed the enemy position. Later in the same day when the company was again delayed by enemy fire he fearlessly retrieved an automatic rifle of a fallen comrade, and returned fire causing their surrender. His boldness, initiative, and sincere devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.