The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Fred W. Brown (ASN: 19055545), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action on 18 July 1944 near ****, Normandy, France. While serving voluntarily as a member of a field artillery forward observer party with front line elements of the **** Infantry Regiment, Sergeant Brown observed the approach of an enemy force of approximately twenty-five soldiers, the leading elements of which group reached the opposite side of a hedgerow behind which the observer party was stationed. Without hesitation, on his own initiative, and without regard for his personal safety, Sergeant Brown mounted the hedges, shot the leading member of the enemy force with his pistol, and then leapt to the enemy side of the hedgerow, where he fired at the enemy until his pistol jammed, when he called for a carbine and continued to fire at the enemy although heavy machine gun and small arms fire were being directed at him during that time. Upon being ordered back to his own side of the hedgerow, Sergeant Brown obtained a heavy machine gun with which he continued to direct fire at the enemy. The gallant and inspiring action, initiative and personal bravery of Sergeant Brown reflect credit upon the military service.