The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Irvin F. Harris (ASN: 0-1996699), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 23 February 1945, in Germany. First Lieutenant Harris and two members of a forward observer party, being unable to deliver mortar fire on the enemy because of their proximity to our own troops, set out to destroy the enemy in one of the buildings. Although under fire, they advanced on the building when they noticed nine of the enemy advancing along a hedgerow. Quickly moving toward the enemy group, First Lieutenant Harris and his comrades opened fire killing or wounding the entire group. With this threat to the company removed, they joined the riflemen in storing the buildings and assisted in capturing twenty five prisoners. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Harris, 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.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Irvin F. Harris (ASN: 0-1996699), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Harris, 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.