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 Oliver J. Stevens (ASN: 31131235), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 776th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 18 March 1945, in the vicinity of Heckendalheim, Germany. Having no other means of communication, Sergeant Sevens personally and repeatedly contacted on foot, in the face of heavy enemy fire, the commanding officer of the infantry company to which his platoon was attached for information concerning enemy targets, after which in each instance he returned to his platoon and directed its fire on the indicated enemy machine gun nests and pillboxes. When the infantry was forced to withdraw, Sergeant Stevens kept his tank destroyers in position and continued to fire until their ammunition was exhausted. The effective fire of his destroyers contributed greatly to the taking of the final objective by the infantry. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.