The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Arnold W. Preece (ASN: 0-2011512), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 29 April 1945, in the vicinity of Heidelberg, Germany. During a fire fight in the streets of the city, a rifleman took up a position in the open under direct fire from an enemy sniper. Noticing this, Lieutenant Preece spotted the sniper and opened fire with his carbine. In the meantime, another sniper fired on him from the other side of the street. He calmly stood his ground, killed the first sniper and then, still fully exposed, shifted his fire and killed the second sniper. Lieutenant Preece’s magnificent courage and devotion to duty under enemy fire are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.