The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Wilfred J. Poitras (ASN: 11071457), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 37th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 26 January 1945. Sergeant Poitras was serving as section sergeant with a cavalry reconnaissance patrol when the lead tank encountered an enemy road block, was disabled, and slid into a roadside ditch. Three Japanese soldiers immediately threw hand grenades at the escape hatches, and began creeping toward the tank. Sergeant Poitras, in a quarter-ton vehicle about 100 yards behind the tank, quickly jumped from his vehicle, which was already under heavy hostile small arms fire, stood completely exposed in the middle of the road, and killed the three enemy with his rifle. He then continued to fire for ten minutes at other enemy installations until a half-track personnel carrier succeeded in rescuing the tankmen. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.