The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant William S. Kendrick (ASN: 17169261), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 7 January 1945, near ****, Belgium. Sergeant Kendrick’s platoon was making a frontal attack on enemy positions when, directly in front of his squad, a machine gun opened fire on them and pinned the men down. Sergeant Kendrick sprang up without thought of personal safety and moved forward with a Tommy Gun in one hand and a grenade in the other. Thrown to the ground by a blast from an enemy grenade and momentarily stunned, Sergeant Kendrick struggled doggedly on toward the machine gun nest in the face of murderous point-blank fire. Hurling his grenade from close range and firing as he advanced, he leaped into the entrenchment, engaged the crew of the machine gun, killing two and wounding one. Sergeant Kendrick’s courageous action eliminated the machine gun enabling the platoon to move forward and accomplish its 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.