The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Coast Artillery Corps) Ferdinand P. Sperl (ASN: 0-1049351), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of IPW Team No. 10, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 26 April 1945, in Czechoslovakia and Germany. Captain Sperl having received information of a German Staff Group with highly valuable documents located within enemy lines, volunteered to secure the capture of the Staff and documents. Using a prisoner as a guide, Captain Sperl under the gravest personal danger, passed through the outpost lines of fanatic SS Troops, contacted the German Staff commander and convinced him of the advisability of surrendering the documents undamaged to a task force. Captain Sperl then returned to his own lines again subjecting himself to the danger of capture or death and led a task force through the German lines and successfully captured the desired staff and documents. Captain Sperl’s actions were above and beyond the normal call of duty and his resourcefulness and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the Military Forces of the United States.