The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Paul H. Hoesing (ASN: 37034193), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Anti-Tank Company, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action in ****, France, on 30 September 1944. A road block had been established to protect the regimental right flank, and Sergeant Hoesing, a platoon sergeant, and his platoon leader were at the barricade when thirty of the enemy approached, whereupon he leaped into a nearby vehicle on which was mounted a .50-caliber machine gun, opened fire upon and killed several of the enemy force. Enemy machine gun fire severely wounded his right leg and an enemy round exploded the vehicle’s gasoline tank, throwing Sergeant Hoesing into a ditch and fracturing his right leg. Unable to walk, but grimly displaying the fortitude and devotion to duty characteristic of the American Infantryman, Sergeant Hoesing, pistol in hand, crawled along the ditch and emptied it at the enemy who already had begun to withdraw as a result of his effective manning of the machine gun. While so engaged, he was again struck by enemy machine gun fire and killed. Sergeant Hoesing’s gallant actions delayed the enemy force until a superior force was summoned to advance upon the enemy and drive them from the vicinity, thereby eliminating a threat to the regimental right flank. 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.