The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Walter A. Byrum (ASN: 42185198), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 9 April 1945, in the vicinity of Stein, Germany. When his company was pinned down by heavy machine gun and rifle fire, Private First Class Byrum continued to advance, finding and killing ten enemy snipers. Establishing a position on the flank of his company, he drew fire away from his Commanding Officer and the rest of the advancing unit. So continuous and effective was his fire that the enemy, apparently believing there was a large force on their flank, surrendered in large numbers. After the heavy firing had ceased, Private First Class Byrum was found dead, his ammunition exhausted. Private First Class Byrum’s magnificent courage and gallantry under fire reflect high credit upon himself and upon the Armed Forces of the United States.