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 Stafford C. Gauldin (ASN: 33664198), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 2 March 1945, in the vicinity of Bubingen, Germany. When his company, after braving intense machine gun and artillery fire, was stopped just short of its objective by enemy fire, Private First Class Gauldin gallantly exposed himself to the enemy in order to observe the hostile emplacement. With intrepidity, he proceeded to crawl closer to the enemy position, all the while being under fire from the machine gun. Upon reaching close range, he threw two grenades and fired his rifle, killing one enemy and forcing another to surrender. Private First Class Gauldin’s gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.