The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Harold K. Pierce (ASN: 0-1054211), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 17 April 1945, in the vicinity of Windisch Brachbach, Germany. The company was unable to maneuver because the enemy had command of the terrain. Lieutenant Pierce, seeing that the men were being shot one by one, called to his men to advance and dig the enemy out. At the same time, he stood up and advanced toward the enemy positions. When he was twenty yards in front of the lead scouts, he was painfully wounded, but continued to advance until the objective was taken. The gallantry and courage displayed by Lieutenant Pierce in this action saved his men from becoming casualties and resulted in the killing of six and routing fifty enemy. 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.