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 Private First Class Kenneth Watkins (ASN: 33097773), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 366th Infantry Regiment, 92d Infantry Division, in action on 8 February 1945, in Italy. Enemy sniper fire had pinned down the attacking squad of which Private First Class Watkins was a member. Observing three snipers in a gun emplacement to his front, Private First Class Watkins, without regard for personal safety and under heavy hostile artillery fire, moved out alone and threw three hand grenades into the enemy position which killed the German soldiers. As his squad resumed its advance, he noticed an enemy machine gun crew covering the side of a house. Quickly exposing himself, Private First Class Watkins shot the two enemy soldiers before they could fire their weapon. He then captured three enemy soldiers as they emerged from a dugout and turned them over to his platoon sergeant. Following this he began establishing a defensive position with his squad and while thus engaged was mortally wounded by an enemy sniper. Private First Class Watkins’ intrepid gallantry and courage exemplified the heroic valor of the American Soldier.