The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Howard A. Scales (ASN: 20405699), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. At 1300 hours on 17 April 1945, near Nurnberg, Germany, when enemy machine gun and rifle fire from a range of 250 yards temporarily halted his platoon, Private First Class Scales instantly set his machine gun up and opened fire on the enemy force. Although he was the target of German automatic fire, Private First Class Scales engaged the enemy with furious and uninterrupted bursts of fire from his weapon for more than thirty minutes, killing two, wounding two, and successfully covering the advance of his platoon. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.