Walter A. J. Martens

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Walter A. J. Martens (0-1016501), First Lieutenant (Cavalry), U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Troop C, 88th Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 30 March 1945. Lieutenant Martens personally led his reconnaissance platoon at the head of a task force. When his armored car, in the lead position, came under fire, he manned a machine gun and wiped out two enemy positions. Continuing the advance, his force came under artillery and mortar fire. He located two enemy anti-tank weapons, directed his fire on them, and notified following tanks of their position. His harassing fire forced the anti-tank gun crews into the open where they were destroyed by the tank which came up to aid the reconnaissance platoon. Although wounded himself, Lieutenant Martens refused medical aid until his task force was ordered to hold its position later in the day. His courage and devotion to duty reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.