The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Charles J. Andrunaites (ASN: 36014293), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 774th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 94th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Germany on 23 January 1945. During a night attack by numerically superior forces, one of Sergeant Andrunaites’ gun sections became dispersed when their position was overrun by attacking enemy infantry. At daylight the following morning he succeeded in locating ten of the eleven missing men of the section, four of whom were casualties. Ignoring sniper and small arms fire, he evacuated the wounded to a positions of relative safety. Continuing his search for the last men, he encountered an enemy machine gun position. Calmly dismounting a machine gun and firing as he charged forward, the courageous sergeant knocked out the enemy gun. It was while performing this act that Sergeant Andrunaites was killed by sniper fire. His conspicuous gallantry and inspiring leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself the Army of the United States.