The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Urbain Reniers, Belgian Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Belgian Secret Army. While Chief of the Belgian Secret Army in the Antwerp Sector, Lieutenant Reniers prepared the detailed plans for “counter-scorching” in this port. His leadership was accepted by all the Belgian civilian resistance groups in this sector, and his brilliant direction played a big part in insuring that the port was intact upon arrival of the Allies. The forces under Lieutenant Reniers’ command contributed materially to the subsequent protection of the port and to the clearing up of German resistance, particularly in Merxem.