The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Private First Class] Harold E. Nyland (ASN: 33572824), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 13 August 1944, in France. Sergeant Nyland and another soldier were serving as scouts for the advance of their company when they encountered an enemy tank. Courageously holding their ground in spite of the deadly cannon and machine gun fire the tank directed on them, they fired a rifle grenade which scored a direct hit on the tank, forcing it to withdraw. After engaging enemy infantrymen who had accompanied the tank, the two men withdrew and reported the situation to their company. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Nyland, 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.