The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant [then Sergeant] Harold Daniel Wilson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as a scout with Company C, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of San Vittorio, Italy, on 7 January 1944. Staff Sergeant Wilson moved his squad under intense machinegun and rifle fire toward positions held by the enemy. His squad encountered extremely accurate fire from an enemy machinegun hidden approximately 200 yards to the front. Staff Sergeant Wilson crawled forward and then charged the hostile emplacement, firing his rifle from the hip as he advanced. Completely surprising the enemy, he charged into the nest and killed the German gunner. Continuing o the crest of a hill, his squad was fired on by another machinegun situated in a rocky emplacement that commanded the entire terrain between it and the squad’s position. Staff Sergeant Wilson advanced from rock to rock until he reached a point within 75 yards of the enemy. He opened fire, killed the enemy gunner and then captured the machinegun. Returning to his squad, he deployed his men in defensive positions. Accompanied by another man, Staff Sergeant Wilson went forward to reconnoiter a draw. As they descended into the draw, a force of approximately 20 Germans approached them. Advancing to a rocky ledge, Staff Sergeant Wilson and his companion opened fire. In this action Staff Sergeant Wilson personally killed three enemy and wounded four others, while the remainder withdrew. Sergeant Wilson’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.