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 [then Sergeant] Selmer A. Waxdahl (ASN: 37250095), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, near *****, Normandy, France, on 18 July 1944. Sergeant Waxdahl was an assistant squad leader in his company when it participated in the battalion attack on *****. During the course of the fighting, his company was pinned down by accurate fire from a machine gun position in a hedgerow about forty-five yards to the front. Sergeant Waxdahl voluntarily crawled forward through the open field under heavy enemy fire and, although wounded, reached the hedgerow and lobbed hand grenades into the enemy machine gun nest, killing the crew and silencing the weapon. After receiving first aid treatment for his wounds, he refused evacuation and returned to duty. The courageous determination of Sergeant Waxdahl, acting with complete disregard for personal safety, enabled his company to resume its advance and take its objective, and reflects the highest credit on the military service.