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 James M. Harrington (ASN: 33427782), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 2 September 1944, in Holland. Private Harrington was serving as a scout for an infantry combat team, engaged in a vigorous pursuit of a large enemy force. As leading scout, Private Harrington was the first to discover an enemy location and engaged the hostile troops single-handedly until some of his fellow soldiers could join him. During this fire fight he killed one enemy, wounded another and captured two enemy prisoners. Later in the day, he led the assault of his platoon against a position from which the enemy was firing three machine guns and one anti-aircraft artillery weapon, and although painfully wounded, kept on fighting. Unable to move further, he raised himself on one knee and called to the enemy surrender. Seven more prisoners were accredited to his daring and determined devotion to duty. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private Harrington, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.