The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Private] Kenneth T. Hargost (ASN: 33908995), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 2 April 1945, in Germany. Staff Sergeant Hargost aggressively led his squad in marching against the enemy in an effort to clear a roadblock and secure a group of buildings. Braving heavy enemy machine gun and small arms fire he personally wiped out an enemy machine gun nest, killing three of the enemy, and then swiftly led his squad forward to the houses and succeeded in capturing eighteen of the enemy. His gallant leadership speeded the advance of his entire company and reflects great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.