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 Benjamin F. Chilic (ASN: 36886231), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 3d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 8 October 1944, near ****, Holland. At about 0200 that morning, the combat patrol of which Private Chilic was a member, was pinned down by heavy machine gun fire and he was twice wounded in the abdomen by the initial bursts. With complete disregard for his own safety, he crawled from the ditch in which he had fallen toward the blazing enemy gun until close enough to throw a grenade. Following this up with his Thompson Sub-Machine Gun, he silenced the machine gun and forced the crew to flee. He continued with the patrol until its mission was successfully completed. Private Chilic’s exemplary and courageous conduct and sense of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces.