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 Lloyd Blackwell (ASN: 37105378), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, Germany, on 16 April 1945. During an attack launched by a strong force of well-armed Germans, Private Blackwell, although surrounded, held his position and delivered rapid rifle fire, killing the leader of the enemy force, wounding another man, knocking out a machine gun, and pinning the main body of the attackers to the ground. Private Blackwell’s gallant actions enabled his unit to reorganize and rout the enemy group and reflect high credit upon his character and training as a soldier.