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 Lazarus L. Turkoff (ASN: 32107148), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 702d Tank Battalion, 80th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 10 April 1945 in Germany. On that date, during an attack against Gispersleben, Germany, the tank which Staff Sergeant Turkoff commanded was hit by an enemy shell which froze the turret in position preventing the gun from being traversed. Undaunted by this handicap, Staff Sergeant Turkoff maneuvered his tank so as to align his gun on an approaching enemy tank, quickly destroyed it, and routed the supporting enemy infantry. Staff Sergeant Turkoff’s courage, initiative, and resourceful devotion to duty aided in the destruction of a large enemy force and was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.