The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Emil W. Larson (ASN: 38024238), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 19 April 1945, at Furth, Germany. After three attempts to cross the Regnitz River at Furth were beaten back by heavy enemy machine gun and panzerfaust fire, Sergeant Larson finally led his squad across the ruins of a blown bridge and engaged the enemy in a bitter fire fight on the opposite bank. Locating an enemy machine gun, he fearlessly made his way forward through the hail of fire to within 25 yards of the enemy gun and threw two hand grenades into the machine gun nest, killing one of the enemy and forcing two others to expose themselves. He then stormed the enemy position and killed the remainder of the crew. At this moment he was seriously wounded and had to be carried back to receive medical aid. Through his indomitable courage and aggressive leadership, Sergeant Larson made a material contribution to the capitulation of Furth and the surrender of 3,000 enemy troops.