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 Joseph M. O’Hara (ASN: 42144118), 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 on 13 March 1945 in Germany. On that date, during the attack on Zerf, Germany, the company in which Staff Sergeant O’Hara was serving as section sergeant, was subjected to enemy rifle, machine gun, and mortar fire from the direct front. Realizing the necessity for destroying the hostile position at once, he courageously advanced to an exposed position where he directed accurate fire on the enemy. Repeatedly as this action continued he braved intense fire to aid wounded comrades and at one time he, voluntarily and without regard for personal safety, advanced one hundred yards in the face of severe hostile fire to aid a wounded officer. Sergeant O’Hara’s courage, leadership, and 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.