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 Harold C. Wiggins (ASN: 38386007), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 14 March 1944. Private First Class Wiggins displayed outstanding courage and initiative when his party came under an unexpectedly heavy volume of hostile fire. During the fire fight that followed, Private First Class Wiggins killed a number of Japanese, some by accurate rifle fire and others by crawling to their slit trenches and hurling hand grenades. During the entire action he repeatedly exposed himself in his unhesitating eagerness to seek out and destroy the enemy. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Private First Class Wiggins, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.