The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William J. Schwartz (ASN: 36656236), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 255th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 3 January 1945, in the vicinity of Achen, France. After routing an enemy tank, Private First Class Schwartz, an assistant machine gunner, with no regard for his personal safety, traversed a route under intense enemy machine gun and sniper fire to secure more ammunition. On returning over the same route he found that the enemy tank had taken up a position in a barn. Again under enemy fire he retraced his course to get a bazooka and ammunition. When he returned, he stood in full view of the enemy and fired eight rounds into the tank, killing five Germans, and capturing twenty-one others. The outstanding courage of Private First Class Schwartz reflects credit upon himself and upon the Armed Forces of the United States.