The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Bertram S. Washabaugh (ASN: 39079075), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the ** Tank Destroyer Battalion, 90th Infantry Division. On 16 August 1944, in ****, France, friendly troops had been forced back into the town by shelling and small arms fire. When an enemy tank appeared from the wood and approached the town, Corporal Washabaugh and one companion, upon their own initiative manned a three inch gun, exchanged direct fire with the tank and succeeded in knocking it out of action; this despite continuous withering fire which had caused the gun crew and other troops in the vicinity to seek shelter.