The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Cavalry), [then Captain] Benjamin H. Hardaway (ASN: 0-400366), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Aide-de-Camp, Headquarters, XII Corps, in action against an armed enemy on 13 September 1944 and on 12 November 1944, in France. On 1`3 September 1944, near Dieulguard, France, although warned that the bridges over the Moselle River were being heavily shelled, and that one bridge had been destroyed, he proceeded to a point on the river where an engineer platoon was working in order to make a personal reconnaissance of the situation. In so doing he followed a road which was under extremely heavy artillery fire but unmindful of this danger he proceeded on to carry out his mission. On 12 November 1944, at Zhan-sur-Nied, France, he again drove through heavy enemy shelling to a position well ahead of the foot elements in order to make a personal reconnaissance of the immediate situation. Again his characteristic coolness and courage under fire were outstanding and his actions reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.