The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant Werner C. Hoff (ASN: 35330120), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 10 April 1945 in Germany. During the attack on Schmira, Germany, on 10 April 1945, the assaulting rifle companies were opposed by many well emplaced and mutually supporting enemy machine guns, whose fire prevented Technical Sergeant Hoff, a machine gun platoon sergeant, from putting his own machine guns into position to support the attack. Alone and with utter disregard for his own personal safety, Technical Sergeant Hoff crawled to a position within thirty yards of an enemy machine gun and then charged the enemy, firing as he ran. Through this gallant action Technical Sergeant Hoff killed one gunner, wounded another, and forced the rest of the crew to flee, thus silencing the enemy weapon. He was mortally wounded during his assault. Technical Sergeant Hoff’s courage, aggressiveness, and supreme 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.