The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Theodore W. Hart (ASN: 0-1286280), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 8 October 1944, in Germany. First Lieutenant Hart, leader of a mortar platoon, distinguished himself when his battalion, which was attacking an objective, was surprised by an enemy counterattack composed of tanks and infantry. Quickly perceiving his unit’s perilous situation, First Lieutenant Hart ordered his mortars into positions and, despite fierce direct fire from the tanks against his positions, he directed such an intense concentration of mortar fire against the tanks that they were forced to halt and deploy. First Lieutenant Hart’s quick thinking and very aggressive action gave friendly tanks and artillery time to go into action and repulse the counterattack. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Hart, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.