Citation Needed – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes Pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private James M. Filson, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 461st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion (Automatic Weapons), in action in March 1944. On that date, Private Aikey’s battalion was assigned to protect a bridge built by the Army over the Sauer River between Luxembourg and Germany. When a German counterattack forced the forward American troops to withdraw back into Luxembourg, guarding the bridge became paramount. Private Filson and Private First Class Lewis O. Aikey, assigned to defend the bridge, were mortally wounded and their half-track destroyed by enemy fire.



