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 Staff Sergeant Pete Horick (ASN: 33034643), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 466th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, 17th Airborne Division, near Wesel, Germany, on 24 March 1945. Staff Sergeant Horick parachuted into enemy territory during the airborne invasion of Germany. When he and his group were pinned down by intense enemy machine gun fire, he directed two men to attack the enemy position from the flanks. Then, with utter disregard for his own safety and armed only with a pistol, he advanced toward the machine gun to keep attention away from the flanks. This maneuver, which cost him his life, enabled the two men on the flanks to attack with hand grenades and force the surrender of the machine gun crew. The noble self sacrifice and courageous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Horick were an inspiration to all of his men and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.