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 First Class Kenneth L. Dovenbarger (ASN: 35298603), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 282d Engineer Combat Battalion, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 31 March 1945, in Germany. Near Hechet, Germany, a bridge site was covered by enemy machine gun fire. Private First Class Dovenbarger voluntarily crossed the river and worked his way into a position where he could see the machine gunners. Realizing that he was out of range, Private First Class Dovenbarger fearlessly ran across an open field toward the enemy and killed two and wounded one of them, knocking out the machine guns. His courageous and heroic actions made possible the completion of the bridge without casualties, and reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.