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 [then Private First Class] Charles E. Kurtz (ASN: 35556947), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company G, 2d Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action near **** Normandy, France, on 15 July 1944. Sergeant Kurtz was an ammunition bearer in a mortar squad of his company during the action on Hill Number 122 in the operation against ****. When his squad leader became a casualty, he at once proceeded under direct enemy fire and observation, and, at the risk of his own life, to a disabled tank in the vicinity, removed a light machine gun therefrom, returned to his squad, which he reorganized and using the light machine gun as his own weapon, led the squad in an aggressive attack against the enemy positions. The intrepid bravery of Sergeant Kurtz, his cool resourcefulness in the face of heavy enemy fire, and his disregard for personal safety in making the mission at hand a matter of primary importance, materially facilitated the accomplishment of the mission of his unit and reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.