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 Perry O. Williams (ASN: 36051418), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 1 January 1945, about one mile from ****, Belgium. Staff Sergeant Williams, squad leader, led a patrol through concentrations of enemy troops in the town, directing his men so skillfully that vital information was obtained and his mission accomplished before the enemy detected the patrol’s presence. When attacked by three machine guns and a platoon of riflemen, supported by mortars, Staff Sergeant Williams placed his men under cover, then crawled across open ground to destroy one machine gun and a crew of three with a grenade. Returning to his patrol, he skillfully withdrew his men with a minimum of casualties. The courage and skill displayed by Staff Sergeant Williams are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces.