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 Barnard W. Hegedus (ASN: 12092748), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 3d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 16 – 17 July 1944, near ****, France. When his company became disorganized during an attack, Technician Fifth Grade Hegedus with a small group infiltrated to a point 900 yards behind enemy lines. With utter disregard for his own safety, although he was exposed to small arms and automatic weapons fire from both enemy and friendly forces, Technician Fifth Grade Hegedus took position in a hedgerow on a main highway in an attempt to halt enemy reinforcements. Observing two enemy vehicles approaching, Technician Fifth Grade Hegedus opened fire at point blank range, killing two of the enemy. Then assisted by his comrades, he captured four enlisted men and one officer, both vehicles and an enemy field piece. A total of seventeen enemy were killed. Refusing to withdraw to his own lines, Technician Fifth Grade Hegedus waited until a group of seventeen men and one officer of his company assembled and joined them in another successful attack in which their objective was seized. This gallant and courageous conduct on the part of Technician Fifth Grade Hegedus aided materially in the success of his company’s mission. 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.