The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William E. Gove (ASN: 20111593), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 90th Infantry Division in Northern France. On 20 August 1944, near ****, France, the command post of his battalion was attacked by two German Mark IV tanks and four half-tracks, which came under small arms and bazooka fire. The German force divided in order to encircle the position. Leaving his foxhole, Private Gove pursued one of the tanks and two half-tracks for approximately two hundred yards through an orchard, hitting the tank twice with the bazooka projectiles and so disabling it that its crew abandoned it and fled. During this time he was subjected to fire from the two half-tracks. His gallant actions were in keeping with the highest military traditions.