The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Russell Jack Lowell (ASN: 0-511282), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, 92d Infantry Division, in action on 21 April 1945, in Italy. When his platoon came upon an enemy-held house which contained 17 enemy soldiers, First Lieutenant Lowell drew up the plan of attack for seizing the structure. In the face of heavy fire from enemy weapons consisting of machine guns, automatic weapons, rifles and hand grenades, he deployed his troops so as to effectively close in upon the foe and force his surrender. Despite the total of 15 to 20 hand grenades which fell near him, he personally led the last assault, throwing hand grenades and continually firing his weapon through the openings, and this, with his onrushing platoon forced the capture of 17 prisoners. First Lieutenant Lowell’s actions under extreme combat hazards were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.