The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Henry J. Jurkiewicz (ASN: 36561518), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Germany, on 23 February 1945. When he observed enemy troops attempting to outflank his unit which was advancing under cover of darkness, Sergeant Jurkiewicz, a machine gun section sergeant, ordered his men to set up their weapons and rushed forward firing his rifle to draw enemy fire away from his section. He was killed by enemy fire after inflicting casualties upon the enemy. His gallant self-sacrifice enabled his men to get a machine gun in action and kill or rout the entire enemy force. Sergeant Jurkiewicz’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.