The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Paul L. Pearson (ASN: 38371446), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 740th Tank Battalion, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 23 March 1945, in Germany. Sergeant Pearson, tank commander, led his tank in the attack against the Siegfried Line. Although caught in a tank trap, and in spite of the position of his tank, Sergeant Pearson refused to abandon his tank but kept firing. The enemy launched a strong counterattack using artillery and small arms fire, however, Sergeant Pearson held his position and assisted in repulsing the threat. He then removed his tank from the trap and proceeded through the Siegfried Line with his platoon to neutralize five enemy pillboxes, thus enabling the infantry to take its objective. The bravery and outstanding devotion to duty of Sergeant Pearson, under hazardous conditions, reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.