The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) William M. Denny (ASN: 0-404647), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action at ****, Germany, on 12 and 13 December 1944. On 12 December, the 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment had the mission of establishing a bridgehead on the German side of the **** River. Company C, commanded by Captain Denny, was to cross first, followed by Company B, and from battalion reserve, Company A. In the assault-boat crossing, because of the swift current, several boats capsized, and several men drowned. When Company C reached the **** bank of the river, Captain Denny organized his men, and since there had been no artillery preparation for the crossing, the enemy was taken by surprise in two buildings used as strong points, sixty-five men and two officers being captured. In accordance with the plan, Captain Denny advanced to take the northern part of town, but now encountered an alerted enemy delivering heavy fire. Under Captain Denny’s leadership, his unit repelled the enemy, took six additional buildings, and set up a defensive position from which it repelled still another counterattack and enabled combat engineers to install a foot bridge to be used by Companies A and B, as well as a vehicular bridge then under construction. When Company B made its crossing, it was disrupted by enemy action, whereupon its members were incorporated with Captain Denny’s command. Shortly after Company A made its crossing, the enemy again counterattacked. Captain Denny, moving ahead of his men, coordinated their fire, encouraged them, checked their positions, as a result of which the enemy was once more repulsed. During all this period, Captain Denny had been tireless in his efforts to ensure his men of adequate food and ammunition. The gallant actions of Captain Denny during the period mentioned materially contributed to the establishment, strengthening and widening of the American bridgehead over the **** River and in the control of the village of ****. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.