The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Donald A. Hansen (ASN: 36423201), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the **** “Sector, Normandy, France, 17 July 1944. In the operation against ****, when his platoon had been reorganized and placed in a holding position to deliver fire upon an enemy machine gun on the top floor of a three-story building, Private Hansen, with two other enlisted men, one a squad sergeant, the other a rifle grenadier, formed a patrol for the purpose of flanking the building. The patrol fired rifle grenades into the building, destroying the enemy gun and then capturing two of its crew. Private Hansen, a senior scout, then continued to advance with the squad sergeant, but was killed by fire from a hidden enemy machine gun. Private Hansen’s gallantry in action, his courage and devotion to duty are in accord with the highest military traditions.