The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Cecil A. Navin (ASN: 33738001), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 22 December 1944, near ****, Belgium. Dug in with the forward elements of his unit, Private Navin discovered an enemy Mark V Tank charging forward, reinforced by infantry with the intention of overrunning the platoon defense line. With great courage Private Navin waited until the tank was almost upon him before climbing from his foxhole to fire his bazooka. The first shell disabled the tank turret and forced it to withdraw. Private Navin was in the act of reloading his weapon for another shot when he was wounded by direct fire from the tank’s 75-mm. gun. The courage and determined aggressiveness demonstrated by Private Navin was responsible for eliminating a severe threat to the security of his company and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces.