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 Buford O. Kennedy (ASN: 35970645), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 7 April 1945, in the vicinity of Rengershusen, Germany. Sergeant Kennedy, with five men, was given the mission of destroying an enemy machine gun that was holding up the advance of the company. Crawling forward to a point fifty yards from the position, he ordered the patrol to cover him while he went forward. Discovered by the enemy, he was immediately fired upon and wounded in both legs. In spite of his wounds, he continued to fire his carbine and successfully destroyed the machine gun position, killing five of the enemy. He then called his patrol forward and, by radio, directed artillery fire on other enemy positions until forced to be evacuated because of his wounds. The gallant action and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Kennedy reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the Armed Forces of the United States.