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 Percy F. Porter (ASN: 34851921), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 22d Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Oswseiler, Luxembourg, 17 and 18 December 1944. While Staff Sergeant Porter’s battalion moved through a wooded area to relieve other infantry units, an enemy patrol attacked the column. In the ensuing action, his heavy machine guns and a mortar platoon became isolated from the remainder of the unit. Although Staff Sergeant Porter was wounded in the head early in the fight, he places his weapons in action and inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy. Being unable to renew contact with the battalion, he established a perimeter defense which withstood repeated hostile attacks during the day and night. Acting on radioed orders, he led the two platoons to a point of safety, by-passing several enemy strongpoints under cover of darkness, without further casualties. Staff Sergeant Porter’s courage, leadership, and sound judgment strongly influenced the stand of his unit, and are in accord with the finest traditions of the military service.