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 C. Minor (ASN: 15057409), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 1st Armored Division, on 25 May 1944, in the vicinity of Cisterna, Italy. Company B of an armored infantry regiment was making an attack in the vicinity of Cisterna. As the company approached a small ridge 300 yards to its front, enemy small arms and mortar fire coming from the ridge caused the company to be pinned down. To neutralize the fire, the commanding officer called up a platoon of medium tanks and section of tank destroyers. As the tanks were coming into position, they ran into an enemy minefield, which held up their advance and threatened to cause the tank attack to collapse. Staff Sergeant Minor, a squad leader in Company B, disregarding his personal safety by exposing himself to heavy enemy fire, entered the unmarked minefield and cleared a pathway for the tanks. He remained in this exposed position, picking his way among the anti-tank and Schu-mines, and directed the tanks through by hand signals. The courage, initiative, and devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Minor are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and are deserving of the highest praise.