The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Patrick J. McHugh (ASN: 0-1016405), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, France, 11 to 12 August 1944. Lieutenant McHugh acted as liaison officer between the 1st Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment and the *** Tank Battalion during the assault against ****. Lieutenant McHugh, commanding an M-5 Light Tank, accompanied the infantry battalion commander toward the objective. When the tank was placed in bivouac, he proceeded in a quarter-ton vehicle which was truck by enemy fire, killing one passenger and wounding another. Lieutenant McHugh proceeded on foot to the objective and aided in coordinating the situation there. Returning to the front line later in another quarter-ton vehicle, it, too, was struck by enemy fire before reaching its objective. The following day, Lieutenant McHugh made several more trips from the tank battalion area to the objective, all accomplished under heavy enemy fire of all types. Lieutenant McHugh’s gallantry in action, his disregard for personal safety and devotion to duty, reflect high credit upon the military service.