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 Horace O. Michael (ASN: 34975788), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Germany, on 9 March 1945. When the right flank of his unit was pinned to position by enemy fire from a fortified house against which they were advancing, Sergeant Michael, a squad leader, crept forward to a vantage point, threw hand grenades and then sprayed the entrenched enemy position with fire from his automatic weapon. Through his intrepidity Sergeant Michael accounted for five enemy dead, two wounded, and three prisoners of war, thereby neutralizing an enemy pocket of resistance and relieving the pressure retarding the forward movement of his unit. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.