The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Louis C. Viehl (ASN: 0-1326251), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 255th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 18 April 1945, in the vicinity of Leofels, Germany. Lieutenant Viehl, with two men, entered the town to make a reconnaissance. From the first house, Lieutenant Viehl, with two men covering him, captured an enemy sentry. Upon interrogation he learned that eighteen enemy were in the house. Entering the house with the captured enemy, he was fired upon. Quickly Lieutenant Viehl fired and killed the enemy who had fired upon him. Seeing this, the remaining seventeen enemy surrendered. The gallant action and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Viehl reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the Armed Forces of the United States.