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 Charles Kovacs (ASN: 32607781), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Belgium, on 4 January 1945. Sergeant Kovacs was a member of a seven-man detail which was to follow an attacking rifle company with the mission of clearing a vital road junction of mines and laying a defensive mine field to prevent re-capture of the cross roads by the enemy. As the men were carefully advancing along the road, they were subjected to witheringfire from a well camouflaged enemy machine gun that had been by-passed by the rifle units. While his comrades directed intense fire against the German position, Sergeant Kovacs stealthily maneuvered his way through underbrush and under a hail of fire to within ten yards of the hostile emplacement, and hurled a grenade which destroyed the enemy weapons as well as its crew. He then rejoined his companions and assisted in the successful accomplishment of the group’s mission, braving heavy German artillery and mortar fire under constant enemy observation. Sergeant Kovacks’ daring and resourceful actions were a vital factor in the success of his unit and are in accord with the military traditions of the United States.