The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fifth Grade Paul W. Neffke (ASN: 12216466), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Troop A, *** Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 30 December 1944, in Luxembourg. Technician Fifth Grade Neffke was a radio operator in a reconnaissance platoon of Troop A. On 30 December 1944, he was a member of a day combat patrol whose mission was to enter the town of Machten, Luxembourg, to obtain prisoners. Enemy fire from commanding ground forced the patrol to deploy and wounded one of the patrol members. He was lying in an exposed position and one man’s attempt to reach him proved unsuccessful due to enemy fire. Technician Fifth Grade Neffke volunteered to try to bring back the wounded man. He crawled forward but could not prevent exposing himself to the enemy fire. One round hit his helmet and gashed his forehead. Despite this wound he continued his efforts to reach the wounded man. Finally his patrol leader ordered him back as the enemy fire made it impossible to approach the wounded man’s position. Technician Fifth Grade Neffke displayed unusual valor and devotion above and beyond the call of duty and is a credit to his organization and the Army of the United States.