The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Edward Joseph Nilges (ASN: 0-1307740), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, 92d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 7 April 1945, in Italy. Captain Nilges, a Battalion S-3, personally went to check on the locations of units during their attack on a highly strategic and strongly-defended enemy-held mountain. Upon reaching the front, he volunteered to lead a four-man reconnaissance patrol in an attempt to contact another battalion to assure himself of the coordination of the assault. With the four men, he proceeded into a “no man’s land” between the two battalions, walking 15 yards ahead of his men in order to draw all enemy fire upon himself. Near the bottom of a slope they spotted the enemy 30 yards away and were simultaneously fired upon by machine guns and machine pistols. Captain Nilges remained in an exposed position to observe the foe after assuring himself that his men were safely under cover. It was while observing that he was killed by enemy automatic weapons fire. Captain Nilges’ courageous daring and initiative reflect high credit on the Armed Forces.