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 Howard L. Pitts (ASN: 34948335), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action on 22 March 1945 in Germany. While attacking a strongly fortified sector of the Seigfried Line, Company A encountered a fully manned and well-defended strong point. When the leader of the 1st Platoon was seriously wounded and the leader and assistant squad leader of Private First Class Pitts’ squad became casualties, Private First Class Pitts, realizing that a delay might result in disaster, swiftly rallied the remaining men and led them in a daring assault. Crossing more than 100 yards of open ground in the face of intense enemy small arms and shell fire, he directed his men in overrunning the hostile position, personally killing one German and forcing five to surrender. His aggressive leadership enabled the company to continue forward and seize its objective, killing eight more Germans and capturing twenty prisoners. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.