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 Harlan D. Wilson (ASN: 37695761), 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 23 February 1945 in Germany. After Obergeckler, Germany, had been captured on 23 February 1945, the enemy counterattacked in force. Private First Class Wilson, a rifleman, was aiding his squad in holding possession of a house in the face of an assault by twenty enemy soldiers. Observing that an enemy soldier had approached and was preparing to hurl a grenade into the house, Private First Class Wilson, on outpost duty in a nearby shed, killed the grenadier and three others, and by his accurate fire captured a few and drove off the remainder of the enemy. His timely action saved his comrades and alerted them for later attacks. Private First Class Wilson’s courage, initiative, 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.