The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant William G. Penrod (ASN: 20731980), 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 13 February 1945 in Germany. After capturing Biesdorf, Germany, on 13 February 1945, the occupying troops were harassed by artillery and mortar fire registered from a pillbox on a nearby hill. Technical Sergeant Penrod, an officer, and another enlisted man volunteered to destroy the position. While the officer assaulted the front of the pillbox Technical Sergeant Penrod and his companion, armed with demolitions, moved to the rear where they encountered two guards. In the firefight which followed they killed the guards and, although Technical Sergeant Penrod was painfully wounded in the arm, he and his companion detonated charges against the rear aperture of the pillbox, forcing fourteen Germans to surrender. Technical Sergeant Penrod’s courage, aggressiveness, 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.