The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Private First Class] Samuel J. Corden (ASN: 33254021), 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 18 September 1944 in France. On that date, while returning from a mission to the command post near Ville-au-Vil, France, Sergeant Corden and a companion were ambushed and wounded by a large German patrol. By returning the enemy fire, Sergeant Corden drove off the patrol and, after encountering two Germans he placed his companion in a safe place and, disregarding his wounds, surprised and captured them. Sergeant Corden’s courage, perseverance, 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.