The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Harold A. Gratopp (ASN: 36130167), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France on 18 September 1944, and in Luxembourg on 26 December 1944. Throughout the campaign in France and Luxembourg, Staff Sergeant Gratopp ably commanded his tank Platoon when the platoon leader was evacuated with wounds. At Bezaumont, France, although his tank was hit and his gunner wounded, Staff Sergeant Gratopp continued to attack and destroy two enemy tanks. Again at Kehmen, Luxembourg, on 26 December 1944, he took command of the platoon and led it through intense artillery fire to destroy three enemy pillboxes and to capture the enemy manning them. Staff Sergeant Gratopp’s courage, initiative, and sincere devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.