The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Louis B. Davis (ASN: 33256980), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, Germany, on 20 December 1944. During the attack of the 1st Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment, on strong enemy positions in the forest of ****, a rifle squad led by Sergeant Davis was pinned down by intense fire from a well-concealed enemy machine gun emplacement. Signaling his squad to engage the enemy in a fire fight, Sergeant Davis made his way to the rear of the emplacement and killed all three machine gun crew members. As he prepared to rejoin his squad, eight German riflemen appeared on the scene. Sergeant Davis stood fast and, by accurate rifle fire, killed four of the Germans and forced the remainder to flee. His courage, initiative and personal bravery, exemplified by his eagerness to close with the enemy, reflect high credit upon his character and training as a soldier.