The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Howard D. Walton (ASN: 33705858), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 8 April 1945 in Germany. At Erfurt, Germany, Private Walton, with disregard for safety, voluntarily attacked seven enemy troops that infiltrated friendly lines with two machine guns to harass troops. Skillfully, he advanced three hundred yards under severe enemy fire to engage the hostile troops in a fierce fire fight which destroyed or captured the entire enemy force. Private Walton’s aggressiveness and gallantry were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.