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 (Field Artillery) Harvey O. Kolhoss (ASN: 0-1284161), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 813th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 79th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 9 January 1945 in Hatton, France. Unable to contact a platoon of his company by radio, Lieutenant Kolhoss proceeded in a quarter-ton vehicle to Hatten where heavy fighting was in progress, to find that the platoon had suffered the loss of its leader as well as two tank destroyers. Displaying superb leadership under fire, Lieutenant Kolhoss immediately assumed command and in swift succession formed road blocks with the two remaining destroyers, supervised their fire which resulted in the destruction of an enemy Mark IV tank, reorganized nearby leaderless infantry into a strong defensive line and, after the enemy had been repulsed, assisted in evacuation of the wounded. The outstanding courage and leadership shown by Lieutenant Kolhoss reflects great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.