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) Claude A. Hinton (ASN: 0-1182601), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 17 March 1945, in the vicinity of Ensheim, Germany. Seeing a machine gun in another company out of action, Lieutenant Hinton made his way under intense enemy fire to the position, repaired the gun, and opened fire on the enemy, helping to repulse a counterattack. When the enemy had withdrawn, he returned to his platoon. A second counterattack started, and Lieutenant Hinton was ordered to another defensive position. While directing the withdrawal, he was wounded in his left knee. In spite of this wound, he personally inspected to see that every man was accounted for and in a position of advantage. Lieutenant Hinton’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.