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 [then Private First Class] Harry R. Hendrick, Jr. (ASN: 36901272), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 275th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, on 22 February 1945. During an attack on a wooded hill in the Gifertvala, France, the right flank of Staff Sergeant Hendrick’s company was seriously endangered by direct 88-mm.fire from a tank in partial defilade near their position. When a rocket team was unable to repel the enemy armor, Staff Sergeant Hendrick crawled close to the tank and killed six hostile infantrymen. His accurate rifle fire so demoralized the enemy that the tank ceased its advance. Staff Sergeant Hendrick’s action was the decisive factor in protecting his company’s flank and crushing determined enemy resistance.