The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Francis D. Broadbent (ASN: 6789908), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Medical Detachment, 731st Field Artillery Battalion, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 6 August 1944, in France. On this date enemy planes flew over the battalion area and dropped flares in the area. One of the flares landed on an ammunition truck and trailer containing powder charges and 350 high explosive and white phosphorus 155-mm. shells and set them ablaze, thus causing explosions and many casualties among the battalion personnel. Staff Sergeant Broadbent voluntarily left his foxhole to attend a seriously wounded soldier lying on the ground. After treating the injured man’s compound fractured leg, Staff Sergeant Broadbent, with the help of Technician Third Grade Raab, carried him 30 feet to a nearby ambulance. Then, for more than three hours, Staff Sergeant Broadbent went up and down the hedge-rowed fields, always in danger from flying fragments from the exploding shells and gave first aid treatment to all casualties with total disregard for his own personal safety or comfort. Staff Sergeant Broadbent’s actions reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.