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 Staff Sergeant Harold L. Schmidt (ASN: 37160973), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 24th Infantry Division at Pastrana, Leyte, Philippine Islands on 26 October 1944. Sergeant Schmidt was a member of a rifle company which was attacking four enemy pillboxes. One soldier was seriously wounded at a position about twenty yards in front of the pillboxes. Sergeant Schmidt, with complete disregard for his own safety, crawled fifty yards in the face of heavy enemy machine gun and rifle fire in order to administer medical treatment to the wounded man. He then carried the wounded soldier back to safety. Sergeant Schmidt’s display of courage at the risk of his own life reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.