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] Avery D. Williams (ASN: 38213644), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 29 January 1945, in the vicinity of Jebsheim, France, Volunteering to participate in an assault on an enemy strong point, Sergeant Williams, together with two other volunteers, moved approximately two hundred yards across open terrain under intense machine gun and machine pistol fire to knock out an enemy pillbox. The final assault resulted in the death of four enemy and the capture of seventeen others. His determination and outstanding gallantry in this action are commensurate with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.