The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel Gabriel Jean Ythier, Army of France, for gallantry in action while serving with the 101st Engineer Regiment, French Army, on 31 March and 2 May 1945, in France, during the assault crossings of the Rhine near Germersheim. Through his energy, leadership, bravery, and constant appearance at the scene of the most bitter fighting, he was able to communicate exceptionally high morale to his troops and bring about success in the face of an enemy firmly entrenched in casemates. Later, having worked furiously for two days against great odds, Colonel Ythier succeeded in directing the construction of the first French bridge across the Rhine at Speyer, Germany, thus speeding the final drive against the enemy.