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 Richard Fagan (ASN: 33590220), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 15 March 1945, in the Hardt Mountains. When his company was pinned down by intense enemy automatic and sniper fire in the Hardt Mountains, Private Fagan courageously sought and delivered a heavy machine gun to the line, placed the gun and opened so effective a fire that the enemy automatic weapon was silenced. By his resourcefulness he enabled his company to resume the advance and within a short time to capture its objective. As a result of the bold initiative of Private Fagan an enemy machine gun was accounted for and a strongly defended and formidable position overrun.