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 (Corps of Engineers) William A. Denbaugh (ASN: 0-1112648), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 315th Engineer Combat Battalion, 90th Infantry Division in action during the period 9 to 11 November 1944, in the vicinity of Cattenom, France. While First Lieutenant Denbaugh, Platoon Leader, and his troops were constructing a ferry to transport critically needed items across the swollen Moselle River, they were subjected to intermittent enemy artillery and small arms fire from enemy fortifications on the far side. Later, under cover of darkness, First Lieutenant Denbaugh with three men, voluntarily and at risk of his life, crossed the raging torrent and destroyed an enemy pillbox from which enemy observed artillery and small arms fire had been directed against them. His courageous and aggressive action aided materially in the successful completion of the ferry. His gallantry was in accordance with high military tradition.