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 [then Private First Class] Ray W. Bennett (ASN: 35430991), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action on 18 August 1944, in France. The advance of the 142d Infantry Regiment’s motorized column was delayed by heavy fire from well-entrenched enemy positions overlooking the highway. Company L was ordered to smash the hostile resistance, and Private First Class Bennett, an acting squad leader in the 3d Platoon, led his men aggressively forward in the attack. Moving directly in the face of the hostile fire, he skillfully directed his squad through a barbed-wire entanglement and placed his men in advantageous firing positions. He then worked his way forward alone, crawling under the bursts of fire until he reached a point within a few yards of the enemy emplacements. Fearlessly exposing himself, Private First Class Bennett hurled three hand grenades into the midst of the hostile force, then motioned his squad forward to assault the position. The disorganized enemy immediately surrendered, and, as a result of Private First Class Bennett’s brilliant leadership and ingenuity, one officer and nine men were captured.