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 Sergeant Ralph W. Colver, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 387th Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division, in action in Ober Wintershide, Germany, on 9 April 1945. Sergeant Colver led a five man patrol which had a mission of mopping up the town of Ober Wintershide, Germany. After passing through the town, the patrol discovered an enemy artillery battery of three guns, fully manned, and protected by automatic weapons. Boldly deciding to attack the positions, Sergeant Colver placed his men within 100 yards of the hostile guns and opened fire on the crews and the ammunition dump located nearby. The enemy, taken by surprise, feverishly attempted to depress the cannon and turn them on the patrol. At this point fire from the patrol caused an explosion of the dump which demolished the positions and killed a number of the enemy. This accomplishment enabled a rifle company to continue its advance after being held up by fire from the hostile battery. Sergeant Colver’s brilliant initiative and gallant leadership on this occasion reflect high credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.