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 Harold G. Lautzenheiser (ASN: 34986001), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 142d Engineer Combat Battalion, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 3 April 1945, at Wurzburg, Germany. As a member of an assault boat crew, Private Lautzenheiser participated in numerous crossings of the Main River prior to the attack on Wurzburg, Germany, under intense artillery, machine gun, and sniper fire. Due to the increasing intensity of the enemy fire and the mounting casualties, operations were momentarily halted. Private Lautzenheiser unhesitatingly volunteered to transport a boatload of men and supplies across to the embattled forces on the opposite bank. Although several men were hit by the heavy concentrations of enemy fire on this journey, he continued to paddle, encouraging and inspiring the remaining men to greater efforts by his great courage. Private Lautzenheiser’s gallantry and dogged determination played a major role in establishing the bridgehead and in the eventual capture of Wurzburg.