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 Fifth Grade William J. Hughes (ASN: 39180470), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Medical Detachment, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action on 8 January 1945 in France. During an artillery and mortar barrage, a soldier was helping his three wounded comrades free a disabled tank then the tank suddenly burst into flames and its reserve ammunition began exploding. Realizing the danger to the wounded men, Technician Fifth Grade Hughes, an Aid Man with a rifle company, unhesitatingly left his place of comparative safety and ran across open terrain under heavy shellfire to aid the casualties. After completing three round trips across the shelled area, carrying each man to a covered position, he skillfully administered first aid and supervised their evacuation. He again braved the hostile fire to reach two casualties lying beyond the tank and, upon reaching them, discovered that both were dead. His courage and devotion to duty inspired the respect and confidence of his comrades.