(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Howard C. Blazzard, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 22d Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Cherbourg, France, during World War II. Captain Blazzard persuaded a German commander to surrender a large fortification, resulting in the capture of more than 1,000 prisoners, an airport, radar station, and supply base. 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.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Howard C. Blazzard, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 22d Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy while commanding a rifle company in a combat team in Belgium, in September 1944. When his column was halted by Germans who had destroyed the only bridge over the Canal de la Sarnne, he reconnoitered for a suitable crossing and succeeded in locating an abandoned railroad trestle. Alone and under constant small arms fire from the Germans, he studied the approach to the trestle and then examined it closely to make certain it had not been prepared for demolition. He climbed the trestle, crossed it under continued fire, and examined the approach on the far side. He reported his findings to the combat team commander, and Americans crossed the trestle and trapped a large German motor and horse-drawn column. Covering air support destroyed this force.