The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Norman M. Hansen (ASN: 0-550933), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 19 February 1945, in the vicinity of Kleinblittersdorf, Germany. Lieutenant Hansen, as a member of a reconnaissance party of officers in territory not yet cleared of the enemy, saw an enemy ten feet away. As he warned his companions of the danger, hidden snipers opened fire, seriously wounding one officer. Dragging the wounded officer to shelter, Lieutenant Hansen applied first aid and then carried him across forty yards of exposed ground to a place of safety. During the action, Lieutenant Hansen covered the withdrawal of the other officers, killing one enemy and wounding another. Such outstanding gallantry and cool judgment under fire reflect great credit upon Lieutenant Hansen and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.