The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Carl Kornowski (ASN: 36821838), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action near Bettendorf, Luxembourg, 21 January 1945. Sergeant Kornowski was a squad leader in the mortar section which was delivering supporting fire for its attacking company. An enemy mortar round fell in the midst of the section, wounding three men and compelled the remainder of the crew to seek protection. Sergeant Kornowski, realizing the importance of keeping the mortars in action, moved from his position of relative security, with utter disregard for his own safety, and began to fire the requested supporting fires alone. At the same time he rallied the other members of the mortar crew into action and succeeded in renewing the normal fire from the other two weapons. Although he was constantly exposed to enemy mortar and artillery fire, he remained at his weapon and, by his gallant example, kept the entire mortar section in action. Their accurate fire finally succeeded in eliminating the enemy observation at the site of the company attack. Sergeant Kornowski’s valor and unflinching devotion to duty are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.