The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] Willard W. Hawke (ASN: 0-1302462), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company B, 1st Battalion, 275th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Germany. On 23 February 1945, between 2300 and 2400 hours, near Saarbrucken, Germany, Captain Hawke marshalled the forces of his decimated company and the remaining men of two other companies whose positions were overrun, and led them in repulsing an attacking enemy company supported by two tanks. Placing a bazooka team into position where they were able to knock out one tank and force the other to withdraw, Captain Hawke then placed a BAR and a machine gun into action and rallied his men into an assault that drove back the enemy in defeat. Fighting for an hour at ranges from five to fifty yards, Captain Hawke held the battalion front and prevented the enemy from overrunning the Battalion Command Post only 150 yards to the rear. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Hawke, 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.