The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) George E. Stejskal (ASN: 0-1115428), 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. During an assault crossing of the Sauer River near *****, Luxembourg, Lieutenant Stejskal led a crew of five men across a 300 yard flat to access the river before daylight. Upon reaching the river a rubber boat was launched but as the first man entered, an enemy machine gun opened up on them, seriously wounding one man. The remainder of the men immediately dispersed, but Lieutenant Stejskal, realizing it would soon be daylight, crawled under machine gun fire and contacted all the men and led them back across the flat to cover. Even though it was getting daylight, Lieutenant Stejskal led his platoon to the site and began construction. During the three and one half hours of construction, the heavy artillery and mortar fire continued to fall but Lieutenant Stejskal kept the crews intact by keeping noticeably cool, by encouraging his men, and by demonstrating an unfailing devotion to duty, thus completing the bridge in a minimum of time. Lieutenant Stejskal’s supreme devotion to duty and conspicuous heroism reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.