Billy H. Pruitt

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Billy H. Pruitt, Private First Class [then Private], U.S. Army, for gallantry in action in connection with a military operation against an armed enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman with the Medical Detachment, 303d Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division. On 30 April 1945, Near Barnau, Germany, Private Pruitt unhesitatingly went to the side of a wounded officer in the face of heavy enemy fire and administered aid. He then crawled to the side of another wounded man and administered aid until the casualty he was attending was again hit by enemy fire and died. Only when it was determined that further aid was useless dir Private Pruitt withdraw to a place of safety. His disregard for his own safety and his gallantry on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.