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 Alexander E. Russell (ASN: 39621598), 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 9 November 1944 in France. On that date, near Eply, France, Staff Sergeant Russell, while assaulting entrenched enemy positions, was wounded by a mortar shell which also destroyed the tripod of his light machine gun. Disregarding his wounds and the intense enemy fire, Staff Sergeant Russell continued the attack holding the machine gun at his hip with the cartridge belt looped over his shoulder. The fire power of his machine gun materially aided in taking the objective, after which he permitted his wounds to be dressed. Staff Sergeant Russell’s courage and 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.