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 Nicholas Tkaczyk (ASN: 36465263), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, *** Medical Battalion, 95th Infantry Division, on 9 December 1944, in the vicinity of Lisdorf, Germany. When the footbridge across the Saar River near Lisdorf was blown out, Private Tkaczyk, who had twice carried casualties across the bridge, accompanied by his three-man litter squad sought a route of evacuation for three wounded soldiers. No boats were available on Private Tkaczyk’s side of the river but on the opposite bank engineer craft could be seen. Private Traczyk and his companions tried repeatedly to attract the attention of the soldiers working on the far side but met with no success Finally, with desperate devotion to duty, Private Tkaczyk, accompanied by one of his fellow litter-bearers, removed his clothing and swam across the river under German artillery, mortar and small arms fire. At the far bank they obtained a boat and brought it back to where the wounded were waiting. By this time Private Tkaczyk and his comrade were suffering from extreme cold and exposure but they refused to leave the embarkation site until they had seen the casualties safely transported across the river. Private Tkaczyk’s heroic deed reflects high honor upon him and on the Medical Department.