The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Thomas J. Harris (ASN: 33482264), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 414th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Holland, on 25 October 1944. On the night of 25 October 1944, Sergeant Harris’ battalion encountered severe enemy machine gun fire delivered from well-concealed positions. After lying for 45 minutes in open terrain swept by four bands of enemy machine gun fire, it became necessary for the battalion to withdraw. Sergeant Harris, realizing that covering fire should be given the battalion as it moved to the rear, without regard for his personal safety and in the face of the heavy enemy machine gun fire, crawled forward and attempted to set his machine gun in action. Sergeant Harris was killed just as he was about to get the machine gun into operation, and, although he failed to complete his self-assigned mission, his personal valor, tenacity of purpose, and unwavering devotion to duty is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.