Gerald Alfred Plautz

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, took pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Chemical Warfare Service) Gerald A. Plautz (ASN: 0-1038263), United States Army, for gallantry in action. While acting as forward observer for his mortar platoon, Lieutenant Plautz, without regard for his own safety, crawled over one hundred yards ahead of the infantry, under direct enemy observation and machine gun fire to take up a position from which he could observe enemy emplacements. After reaching the position, and still under machine gun and sniper fire, Lieutenant Plautz accurately directed mortar fire seventy-five yards in front of himself upon the enemy machine gun nests and troops that were holding up the advance. The mortar barrage directed by him forced the enemy to withdraw. By his courage and coolness under fire, Lieutenant Plautz enabled the infantry to continue its advance. His actions reflect the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.

1st Lt. Plautz was killed in action seven days after earning the Silver Star.