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 (Chemical Warfare Service William T. Free (ASN: 0-1035462), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the *** Chemical Mortar Battalion, in action on 24 March 1945 in Germany. On this date, the 2d platoon of Company B was in position in Treber, Germany in support of the 11th Infantry Regiment of the 5th Infantry Division. The men were given march order at 2400 and reached their mortars at 0005 when the Germans launched a tank supported counterattack from the Southeast. Lieutenant Free sized up the counterattack and decided to get the .50 caliber machine gun from his jeep. The vehicle was parked in the street which was being swept by fire from the tanks. Lieutenant Free, on his own volition, went to his jeep under fire and got the machine gun. He carried it to a second story window and there without a mount he fired it as a rifle. His tracer ammunition drew much return fire, but he kept the gun in action throughout the entire attack. The infantry gave much of the credit for breaking up the counterattack to Lieutenant Free and his machine gun. Lieutenant Free’s heroic disregard for personal safety and cool efficiency under fire reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.