The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Hilton M. Holland (ASN: 34331467), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 9 January 1945, near ****, Belgium. Corporal Holland, an assistant squad leader, Company B, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, was with his platoon which had been reduced to seventeen men while it was engaged in setting up a defensive position. Before this could be completed, it was attacked by a company of enemy supported by a section of enemy mortars. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Corporal Holland unhesitatingly started out alone to an exposed firing position from which he killed two and captured an additional two enemy. Overwhelming numbers having forced his withdrawal from this position, he then led three men in a flanking counterattack through intense enemy small arms fire which forced the flank platoon of the enemy to retreat in disorder, leaving two more prisoners. Corporal Holland then voluntarily led another flanking attack and personally knocked out an enemy machine gun crew of two men. During this action, he was seriously wounded in the abdomen. Throughout the entire engagement, Corporal Holland displayed a brand of courageous initiative and intelligent leadership which was an inspiration to his comrades. His actions were largely responsible for the successful defense of his platoon’s position and typify the highest standards of the United States Armed Forces.