The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade William W. Salo (ASN: 37170864), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 90th Infantry Division in Northern France. On 19 August 1944 in the vicinity of ****, France, Technician Fifth Grade Salo was assigned to an OP blocking the German escape route and supporting an infantry battalion across this route. The importance of this OP was extremely critical. The wire line was knocked out six times by enemy action and each time Technician Fifth Grade Salo went quickly back over the area under heavy enemy fire repairing the breaks and maintaining the communications. His calmness and courage, determination and aggressiveness, were responsible for the destruction of a large number of the enemy tanks and vehicles, which were heavily engaged in the vicinity and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.