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 Harold L. DeHart (ASN: 33185151), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 1 October 1944 in France. On that date, near Benicourt, France, Private First Class DeHart, an automatic rifleman, advanced with his squad which was protecting the flank of an assaulting company. Intense machine gun fire from a farm house temporarily delayed the attack. Private First Class DeHart and his assistant, with utter disregard for personal safety, moved to a position from which they effectively neutralized the enemy machine gun fire. Although both were wounded Private First Class DeHart continued firing for four hours and on being relieved carried his seriously wounded assistant to safety. Private First Class DeHart’s courage, perseverance, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.