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 (Infantry) Don E. Graeber (ASN: 0-2055903), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 21 September 1944, about three miles north of ****, Holland. During an attack in an effort to extend the slim perimeter on the north bank of the River Waal because of the extended battalion front the enemy was able to infiltrated between Company G and Company I. The company commander of Company G, being with the flank platoon, was unaware of the gravity of the situation. Second Lieutenant Graeber, a platoon leader, realizing the seriousness of the enemy threat, immediately organized a small group of company headquarters and mortar personnel. Placing his own platoon under the command of the platoon sergeant, Second Lieutenant Graeber led his handful of men to within 20 yards of an estimated force of 50 enemy situated behind the cover of a railway embankment. Second Lieutenant Graeber personally placed each of his men along the 150 yard gap between companies. Although the initial impetus of the German attack had been stopped, a violent hand grenade and small arms fire fight took place at close quarters. All night long, Second Lieutenant Graeber, completely unmindful of his own safety, constantly exposed himself to this fire by throwing grenades and checking the individual security of his men up and down the entire length of the 150 yard line. His exhortations and exemplary conduct in the face of great personal danger so inspired his handful of men that they were able to maintain their precarious position and frustrate all further attempts of the enemy to break through the sparsely held line of communication. As a result of Second Lieutenant Graeber’s intrepid leadership and tactical skill, the two companies were able to confront the enemy with a continuous and solid front on the following morning and thus restored what otherwise might have been a difficult situation. During a subsequent action in which Lieutenant Graeber demonstrated the same invaluable qualities of leadership, he suffered the permanent loss of his eyesight. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.