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 (Corps of Engineers) A. D. Flores Kruse (ASN: 0-1105312), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the *** Engineer Combat Battalion, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 18 January 1945, in Luxembourg. Having been placed in charge of the construction of a vital ford over the Sauer River in support of an assault crossing, Lieutenant Kruse, upon making reconnaissance of the site which was under mortar and sniper fire, decided to commend work immediately. During he early stages of the construction the area was subjected to two intense barrages of heavy enemy artillery and though shrapnel was falling all around him and was striking the bulldozer, he did not leave the site. When the fire abated somewhat, even though the mortar fire was still falling in the area at frequent intervals, Lieutenant Kruse ordered work to continue, and in directing the construction constantly exposed himself. He then took the bulldozer to the opposite side of he river and ignoring the reported presence of S-mines, personally and with utter disregard for his personal safety, supervised the completion of the ford. The outstanding courage of Lieutenant Kruse, his inspiring leadership and gallant actions reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.