The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Third Grade Henry J. Wells (ASN: 39271227), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 1 May 1945, at Munich, Germany. While on a forward reconnaissance patrol into the heart of enemy-held Munich, Sergeant Wells was subjected to intense sniper fire. As he moved forward armed only with a submachine gun, he observed a strong enemy force entrenched in the middle of a park. At this time friendly artillery began falling in the area, and Sergeant Wells called out for the Germans to surrender. Unable to lift the artillery because of a lack of communications he opened fire upon the enemy group and calmly went about collecting 60 prisoners, marching them back to a Prisoner of War cage. Through his aggressive actions in single-handedly digging the enemy soldiers out of their fortified positions, Sergeant Wells eliminated a strong last-ditch delaying action, thus bringing about the rapid capitulation of the city with a minimum of casualties.