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 William F. Hanrahan (A-20717), Canadian Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Sixth Company, Third Regiment, 1st Special Service Force, in action against the enemy near Castillon, France, on 9 September 1944. During an enemy counter-attack which resulted in complete encirclement of Private Hanrahan’s platoon, the light machine gun protecting its right flank failed to function due to a defective extractor. Seeing that both members of the gun crew were out of action and that the entire right flank of the platoon was dangerously exposed, Private Hanrahan ran to the gun, completely disregarding intense enemy fire, quickly disassembled it, replaced the broken extractor and reassembled the weapon. Then operating the gun by himself, he returned the enemy fire, silencing one enemy machine gun and driving off the enemy who had succeeded in reaching hand grenade range. The coolness and bravery displayed by Private Hanrahan saved his platoon from destruction, and is worthy of the highest praise.