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 William A. Stehley (ASN: 33571167), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the *** Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 2 April 1945, in Germany. On this date the enemy made a successful attack upon the town of Wallensdorf, Germany, where the transportation and supply elements of the *** Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron were then bivouacked. Technician Fifth Grade Stehley, a member of the *** Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, was then in an assembly area nearby with his truck distributing ammunition to our forces. When elements of the security section prepared to counterattack for relief of our troops in the town, Technician Fifth Grade Stehley voluntarily boarded one of the supporting tanks to assist in the assault. Upon entering the town, Technician Fifth Grade Stehley, riding on the rear deck of the lead tank, was manning the .50 caliber machine gun. In the course of the battle an enemy panzerfaust team succeeded in taking the tank under fire, knocking it out, and killing two of its crew. In this action Technician Fifth Grade Stehley was painfully wounded in the neck and knocked from the top of the tank. Immediately recovering his rifle, he rejoined our forces, fearlessly attacked the enemy, and with his accurate shooting killed several who were holding up our advance, and assisted in the capture of 40 prisoners while clearing houses. Technician Fifth Grade Stehley then aided in the evacuation of our casualties, refusing medical attention himself, until our counterattack was successfully completed and relief was made by elements of the *** Infantry Division. The courage, disregard for personal safety, and supreme devotion to duty displayed by Technician Fifth Grade Stehley proved an inspiration to our troops and reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.