(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Vernon G. Lottmann, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Vernon G. Lottmann, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Riedwihr, France, on 23 January 1945. When a rifle company was temporarily halted in the attack, Technical Sergeant Lottmann and another soldier advanced 25 yards ahead of the lead scout to set up their machine gun on an exposed vantage point. While under enemy machine gun fire, striking within arm’s reach of them, they silenced the German Weapon, 150 yards away, killing both gunners. Then, engaging 30 enemy riflemen at 300 yards range, they killed one officer and 15 enlisted men and wounded at least five others. As the rifle company advanced, Technical Sergeant Lottmann and his comrade made five similar set-ups of their weapons, accounting for five additional enemy killed and ten wounded. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.