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 Curtis S. Halfhill (ASN: 37046367), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 5 – 6 January 1945, in the vicinity of Ammerschweir, France. On the night before an attack, Sergeant Halfhill with a group of men had the mission of clearing an enemy mine field from a road intersection far in advance of the front lines. When dawn came, the enemy placed heavy machine gun and small arms fire on the detail. Sergeant Halfhill ordered his men to take cover and finished clearing the mine field alone. Through his persistence in the face of enemy fire, he completely cleared the mine field, enabling tanks to operate in support of the infantry in the attack. Sergeant Halfhill’s bravery and devotion to duty under fire are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.