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 Walter A. Reynolds (ASN: 6906794), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the ****, France, on 12 November 1944. When his organization urgently needed to establish contact with the regiment on its right flank, Sergeant Reynolds, a squad leader, assisted by two other enlisted men, formed a patrol in an attempt to reach the adjacent unit. Being unable to find the flanking regiment at the designated place and realizing the urgency of the mission, he and his companions pressed forward. While thus leading his patrol, Sergeant Reynolds suddenly came upon an enemy machine gun position and, assisted by his comrades, surprised its crew, took them as prisoners and destroyed the weapon. While returning to friendly lines with his prisoners, enemy artillery fire fell upon his route, shell fragments killing all but two of the prisoners, and blinding and seriously wounding one of the patrol men. The prisoners having escaped in the confusion, Sergeant Reynolds administered medical aid to his wounded companion and went for further medical assistance for the wounded man, making his way in the darkness through the thickly-wooded terrain. He then led an aid man back to his wounded comrade and then led the patrol back to safety. Sergeant Reynolds’ leadership, courage and devotion to duty reflect credit upon his character as a soldier.