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 Forrest G. Harding (ASN: 32068702), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 101st Airborne Division. On 20 December 1944, in the vicinity of Bastogne, Belgium, he and a comrade were manning a machine gun in a forward position when the enemy launched a strong attack which threatened the defense of the entire area. Private Harding and his comrade delivered such accurate and destructive fire with their machine gun that the enemy were forced to withdraw. When the enemy launched another attack on the line of defense, again the volumous fire of this machine gun drove them back. Enemy artillery and mortar fire commenced to fall near the machine gun, but Private Harding and his companion remained in their position. During a third attempt to penetrate the friendly line, the enemy reached positions within hand grenade range of the machine gun and, by throwing grenades, overturned the gun. Private Harding and his comrade immediately retrieved the gun and continue to deliver heavy fire on the enemy, again forcing them to withdraw. His actions were in accordance with the military traditions of the United States..