The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Peter T. Kelleher (ASN: 31370763), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the *** Engineer Combat Battalion, THIRD U.S. Army, in action against the enemy in France. On the morning of 9 November 1944, while guarding a bridge over the canal of St. Nicholas, Private Kelleher discovered an explosive charge, with burning fuse, beneath the bridge. Private Kelleher immediately grasped the charge and ran with it approximately fifty meters along the canal bank. He disposed of the charge and made his way back to the bridge to a place of safety. Immediately upon returning to the bridge the charge exploded. Private Kelleher, in performing this act, fully realizing the hazards involved, undoubtedly prevented destruction of the portion of the bridge to which the charge was fixed. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private Kelleher, 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.