The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Peter James Kopcsak (ASN: 0-19440), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 602d Tank Destroyer Battalion, in action against an armed enemy 9 November 1944, in France. Task Force “A”, 26th Infantry Division, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Kopcsak, launched an attack northeast of ********, France. The advance of the task force was stopped just west of ********, France, by heavy artillery, mortar, small arms fire and anti-tank weapons. Despite the heavy enemy resistance and excellent enemy observation, disregarding his own personal safety, Lieutenant Colonel Kopcsak was on the ground with the reconnaissance elements of the Task Force directing operations and giving encouragement and inspiration to his troops to move forward. Lieutenant Colonel Kopcsak’s aggressiveness, courage, utter disregard for his own personal safety and tenacity of purpose reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.