The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade Caswell N. McCartney (ASN: 3434307), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 80th Infantry Division, in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 10 February 1945 in Germany. On that date, during the critical crossing of the Sauer River near Dillingen, Germany, all attempts to establish vital wire communications with an engineer company at a proposed bridge site had been thwarted by the intense enemy artillery, mortar, and small arms fire from the Siegfried Line fortifications overlooking the area. Technician Fifth Grade McCartney, driver for the Division Signal Officer, after helping to reconnoiter a route of approach, braved the hostile fire directed at the operation to help lay a wire line to the engineers, using a friendly tank as a shield. Technician Fifth Grade McCartney’s courage, initiative, 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.