The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Cecil E. Blaufuss (ASN: 37548703), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 101st Airborne Division. On 12 June 1944 in the vicinity of Montmartin-en-Graignes, France, he was advancing with his squad along a small trail toward a well-entrenched enemy force. During the advance, an enemy machine gun opened fire on the squad, killing two and wounding two other members of the squad. Realizing that the enemy machine gun was holding up the important advance of the main body and that more casualties were imminent, Private First Class Blaufuss, with complete disregard for his personal safety, advanced toward the enemy gun. Firing as he moved, he launched an attack on the enemy gun single-handed. Demonstrating great courage and aggressive determination, he destroyed the enemy gun, thereby eliminating an obstacle in the advance of his unit. His outstanding display of courage and high devotion to duty proved instrumental in permitting his unit to continue their advance and in eliminating an enemy machine gun emplacement. His actions were in accordance with the military traditions of the United States.