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 Staff Sergeant Raymond D. Hoyt (ASN: 37070562), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the *** sector, Normandy, France, on 17 July 1944. Sergeant Hoyt reorganized a platoon of his company and placed it to cover with fire a three-story building on the top floor of which he had discovered an enemy machine gun. He then organized a two-man patrol, one a section scout, the other a rifle grenadier, with which to flank the building. The patrol destroyed the enemy gun with rifle grenades and captured two of its crew, Having ordered the grenadier to return to the unit with the prisoners, Sergeant Hoyt and the senior scout continued their advance until he was killed by fire from a hidden machine gun. The leadership, courage and devotion to duty on the part of Sergeant Hoyt are in accord with the highest traditions of the military service.