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 Gaylord A. Towne (ASN: 37751391), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 31 March 1945 in Germany. On that date, the rifle company in which Sergeant Towne served as squad leader was delayed in its attack on Nieder Mollrich, Germany, by intense mortar and automatic weapons fire from concealed positions within its sector. Sergeant Towne voluntarily crawled over three hundred yards and despite the heavy concentration of mortar and artillery fire directed at him located and returned to give the enemy gun positions which were neutralized by artillery fire. Sergeant Towne’s courage, initiative, skill, and devotion to duty enabled the company to gain its objective and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.