The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Corporal] Norton D. Stephenson (ASN: 36482809), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 7 January 1945, near ****, Belgium. After setting up his mortars, Staff Sergeant Stephenson and his section were subjected to the fire of about twenty-five by-passed enemy supported by two machine guns. Determined not to lose his guns, Staff Sergeant Stephenson completely exposed himself dashing across a hundred yards of barren terrain directly into the fire of one of the machine guns and killed the three members of the crew with his Thompson Sub-Machine Gun. Out of ammunition, he turned the enemy machine gun on the remaining enemy, killing three more and assisting in the capture of the rest. His heroic action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.