The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant [then Staff Sergeant] Claude Spain (ASN: 38146536), United States Army, for gallantry in action in northern France while serving with the 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. On 11 June 1944 near ***, France, Sergeant Spain’s platoon had been pinned down by enemy fire and was badly disorganized. The platoon leader and platoon sergeant had become casualties. Sergeant Spain took command of the platoon and immediately reorganized it. He located the enemy machine gun and with two companions assaulted and knocked it out with bayonets. This enabled the platoon to continue to advance.