The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Constantine Mims, Jr. (ASN: 0-1312198), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, France, on 2 November 1944. Lieutenant Mims led a patrol of five men into enemy territory at dusk on 2 November with the mission of probing enemy defenses. He skillfully directed the movement of his patrol through a mine field and several barbed wire entanglements, then deployed his troops near their objective. He moved forward alone to reconnoiter, encountered a German soldier and rendered him unconscious, then engaged a second German in hand-to-hand combat and took him prisoner. The first German regained consciousness and was killed by Lieutenant Mims in the ensuing fight. The noise of the struggle had alerted enemy positions in the area and Lieutenant Mims led his patrol back to the American lines through a concentration of machine gun fire. By his aggressive leadership and initiative, Lieutenant Mims secured information which contributed to the success of an attack launched in this area several days later. 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.