The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal (then Private First Class] William N. Pottorff (ASN: 35143221), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company M, 143d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 2 and 3 December 1944, in France. When a group of approximately 20 Germans approached a house occupied by a machine gun squad, Private First Class Pottorff, from his vantage point on the second floor balcony, spotted the hostile force. As the enemy soldiers attempted to encircle the position, he opened fire with his rifle and forced two of the enemy in assaulting the house. Then, moving to a window on none side of the building and exposing himself to the enemy fire, he fired into the hostile machine gun emplacement, wounding the enemy gunner and forcing him and his companion to abandon the weapon. With this threat eliminated he took up a position from which he could protect the flank. His gallant actions were responsible for disorganizing the enemy 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, his unit, and the United States Army.