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 Kergious J. Crites (ASN: 37640259), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 2 April 1945, in the vicinity of Tiefenbach, Germany. During the attack of the First Battalion on the town of Tiefenbach, Sergeant Crites was wounded in the head by machine pistol fire. Sergeant Crites dressed his wound, refused to be evacuated, and continued for three hours to lead his squad through heavy rifle and automatic weapons fire, knocking out one machine gun and taking the squad’s immediate objective. The intrepidity with which Sergeant Crites accomplished his mission was an inspiration to all those who witnessed his action. The gallantry and courage under fire of Sergeant Crites reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the Armed Forces of the United States.