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 First Class William P. Cushing, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Italy, on 18 January 1944. Private First Class Cushing, a lineman in an Infantry communication platoon, was assigned the mission of repairing a vital wire line leading to one of the forward battalions under severe enemy artillery fire. Having tested the faulty wire, he called the communications officer and explained that the highway along which the line lay was being subjected to a heavy artillery barrage. Upon learning that this line was essential to the attack, he stuck to his task, checking and repairing the damaged line in the face of the bitter enemy artillery barrage. While going forward on his mission he was wounded by shell fragments and although weakened by loss of blood persisted at his work until his task had been completed, his efforts being instrumental in the success of the attack. 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.