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 [then Corporal] William J. Kolodziej (ASN: 36005526), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Troop C, 32d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), III Corps, in action against the enemy on 18 December 1944, near *****, Belgium. Sergeant Kjolodziej, as a member of a patrol attempting to recover abandoned equipment, voluntarily and with complete disregard for his personal safety, manned a machine gun and assisted by another soldier boldly maneuvered in a quarter-ton truck to an exposed position in the face of heavy enemy automatic and small arms fire. He placed such accurate fire on the enemy that recovery of the equipment was accomplished without suffering any personnel casualties. The gallantry and daring display by Sergeant Kolodziej reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.