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 Harvey L. McCarthy (ASN: 38664524), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 18 April 1945, in the vicinity of Otterbach, Germany. Sergeant McCarthy, while leading his squad in the attack of the town, encountered heavy machine gun fire. Ordering his squad to cover him with fire, Sergeant McCarthy started towards the enemy gun on his left. Observing the enemy gunners retreating into town, he quickly fired, killing one, wounding another, and taking a third prisoner. Then advancing on the enemy gun to his right, Sergeant McCarthy threw a grenade and dashed forward, taking three more prisoners. Sending the prisoners to the rear, he continued to the third gun and, although wounded in the arm, dashed in the house where the enemy gun was located and captured five more prisoners. The gallant action and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant McCarthy reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the Armed Forces of the United States.