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 First Class William R. Littleton (ASN: 35298551), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the 282d Engineer Combat Battalion, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 4 April 1945, in Germany. In an enemy attack on a convoy near Schlachtern, Germany, Private First Class Littleton discovered that his machine gun failed to feed. In full view of the enemy, with complete disregard for his own safety, Private First Class Littleton coolly field stripped, repaired, and reassembled his gun, in spite of the bullets flying all around him. He then commenced firing and was instrumental in knocking out the enemy machine gun. The cool-headedness, disregard for his own safety, and supreme devotion to duty displayed by Private First Class Littleton reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.