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 Sergeant Otto W. Hefner (ASN: 37534297), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of St. Lo, Normandy, France, on 19 July 1944. When intense enemy mortar, machine gun and small arms fire made the position of his platoon untenable, Sergeant Hefner and two other members of his squad stood fast, signaled the balance of the platoon to move to the rear, then delivered a heavy volume of fire upon the enemy positions. This action brought heavy return fire from the enemy, wounding Sergeant Hefner and his two companions, who nevertheless continued to fire upon the enemy until the platoon reached cover. By his gallant self-sacrifice, Sergeant Hefner earned for himself a place of honor in the annals of fighting infantrymen.