The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Albert Sponheimer, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action on 6 June 1944, while serving as a Medical Technician with Battery A, 197th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion. Early on D-Day, landing with his platoon on the coast of France on Omaha Beach under devastating enemy artillery, mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire, Private First Class Sponheimer with complete disregard for his own personal safety continually exposed himself to the intense enemy fire as he rendered medical assistance to his wounded comrades. On numerous occasions he made trips up and down the hostile fire-swept beach providing continuous medical assistance to the wounded while many around him were being wounded by flying shrapnel or ricocheting bullets fired from the enemy forces positioned on the low bluff located at the edge of the beach. In the afternoon he set up a small aid station just off the beach edge and under the heavy enemy fire continued to medically treat wounded soldiers throughout the afternoon and late into the evening hours. Private First Class Sponheimer’s courageous actions and exemplary devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.