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 Jack L. Scharf (ASN: 12143665), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 11 January 1945, at Hatten, France. When his company’s position at Hatten became untenable, Private Scharf volunteered to clear a path for the evacuation of the wounded members of the position. Braving a hail of machine gun and direct tank fire, he made his way to a barn where he encountered a force of enemy soldiers. In the fierce fire fight that followed, he inflicted such heavy casualties upon the enemy group that they were forced to withdraw in a disorganized state. As a result of his gallant actions, fifty men were enabled to escape from the besieged building and saved from possible capture or death.