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 A. Spears (ASN: 35761227), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 12 October 1944, while serving with Company C, 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Gesso, Italy. Sergeant Spears, acting squad leader of a machine gun squad, was given a mission of protecting an approach to the company’s newly won positions. When the company was savagely counterattacked by a force of approximately one hundred Germans, Sergeant Spears repelled the attacks with machine gun fire. Since this high ground had only been in our hands a few minutes and a coordinated defense had not been completed, the company was in grave peril from this new threat. Quickly sensing the danger, Sergeant Spears rallied his men, picked up his machine gun and ran forward across the hill ahead of all friendly troops, spraying bullets into the enemy. Despite withering machine gun and machine pistol fire which killed one of his comrades and wounded six more, this gallant soldier calmly met the desperate fury of the German attack. Sergeant Spears then took a firing position and continued to fight until the forward elements were able to force the enemy to retreat. By his gallant action at a great risk to his own life, the newly won position remained secure, and the lives of many of his companions were saved. The magnificent courage, superb initiative, quick and decisive action displayed by Sergeant Spears, was an inspiration and an example to the officers and men in the company. Sergeant Spears’ action truly exemplifies the glorious spirit of the Army of the United States.