The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Walter A. Guntharp (ASN: 0-1285415), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 13 July 1944, in the vicinity of Monte Lopic, Italy. Captain Guntharp performed with conspicuous gallantry while leading his company on an assault on strong hostile positions. When the flanking element, which he was leading, was pinned down under intense fire of machine guns, snipes, and enemy mortars, Captain Guntharp, in full view of the enemy gunners, moved forward to locate the platoon which was making a front assault. Finding it held up by a false crest and deep ravine, he made his way back to the flanking platoon, never faltering as his radio operator was killed and both he and his runner were wounded in the murderous fire. Inducing his men to move forward in the attack, this intrepid officer led them through the full fury of hostile fire toward the crest of the hill. Despite his painful wound and as fire of machine guns and snipers poured bullets at him churning the ground at his feet, narrowly missing him on all sides, Captain Guntharp courageously assaulted the enemy positions. As three soldiers about him were killed and five wounded, this heroic soldier with only fifteen of his men remaining, overran the hostile emplacements killing fifteen Germans, capturing five and driving the rest from the hill. In the continuing fire, Captain Guntharp without seeking cover, reorganized his men, beating off a determined counterattack before he was finally evacuated. The exemplary leadership and conspicuous gallantry displayed by Captain Guntharp won the admiration of the entire command and his gallant deeds in deadly hostile fire reflect the proudest traditions of the Army Forces.