The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Preston R. Russell (ASN: 6956743), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Djebol, Murdjadjo, Algeria, 8 November 1942. During the Oran Offensive, the platoon in which Sergeant Russell was a squad leader was subjected to heavy enemy rifle, machine gun and mortar fire. Sergeant Russell, on his own initiative and with utter disregard of personal safety, ordered his squad forward to attack enemy machine gun positions. Leading his squad through heavy enemy fire, he reduced several enemy strongpoints before being surrounded and captured. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.