The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Private First Class] Lloyd L. Pontzer (ASN: 33681572), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. During a determined enemy counterattack on the morning of 16 February 1944, on the Anzio Beachhead, Staff Sergeant Pontzer, 81-mm. mortar ammunition bearer, traveled 800 yards through intense enemy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire which killed several soldiers within a few feet of him to reach an ammunition dump. Loaded with mortar shells he returned over the same hazardous route, compelled at times to creep and crawl to avoid shell fragments and bullets. Throughout the morning under unrelenting shell fire which frequently burst as close as 35 yards from theirhim, stunning and shaking him, Staff Sergeant Pontzer made four additional trips covering a total of 2,000 yards to maintain the mortar’s supply of ammunition. 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.