The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fourth Grade Francis A. Hildreth (ASN: 32727156), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 753d Tank Battalion, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 10 February 1945, in France. Technician Fourth Grade Hildreth was driving a tank which had the mission of covering a bulldozer as it cleared a road block during a night attack. A fragment of a machine gun bullet painfully wounded him. Although advised by his tank commander to give up his position to the assistant driver and seek first aid, he refused to do so. Instead, despite the pain of his wound, he remained at his post, skillfully maneuvering his tank back and forth on the road near the bulldozer. When the tank had completed its mission he received first aid and was evacuated to the hospital. Technician Fourth Grade Hildreth’s courageous devotion to duty was an inspiration to the other members of his crew.