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 Technician Fifth Grade) Joseph R. Payer (ASN: 32592011), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 610th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 80th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 21 March 1945 in Germany. At Kaiserlautern, Germany, the advance units drove the enemy into a large dugout from which they fought fiercely. Sergeant Payer voluntarily crawled to the entrance despite the enemy fire and, after hurling a grenade into the entrance, captured a Colonel, four Majors, five Captains, ten Lieutenants, and eighty-six enlisted men. Sergeant Payer’s courage and aggressive action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.