The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade Aldus E. Sumners (ASN: 34702788), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Battery A, *** Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, 95th Infantry Division, on 4 December 1944, in the vicinity of Saarlautern, Germany. On 4 December 1944, the range section of which Technician Fifth Grade Sumners was a member, was given the mission of providing anti-aircraft protection of the bridge crossing the Saar River at Saarlautern, Germany. In order to provide the best possible defense of the bridge it was necessary to emplace an M-51 quadruple mount machine gun at the southern approach. With complete disregard for his own safety, Technician Fifth Grade Sumners, lying on his side, revetted three sides of the position. He then backed the mount into the revetment, disconnected his truck, and returned to complete the revetment. During this entire operation, which took approximately six hours, the bridge and its approaches were under constant artillery fire, and ninety minutes after the work was completed the position received two direct hits, totally destroying the mount. The coolness and courage displayed by Technician Fifth Grade Sumners reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.