Augustus Van Cortlandt

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Augustus Van Cortlandt (0-535634), First Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Battery B, 420th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 10th Armored Division, at Nauburn, Germany, on 22 April 1945. Although mortally wounded during the action, First Lieutenant Van Cortlandt, artillery forward observer, courageously continued directing effective fire upon counterattacking hostile forces, repelling them with heavy losses. His supreme devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon himself and the artillery forces of the United States.