The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry), [then Captain] Rush Spencer Wells, Jr. (ASN: 0-23191), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 192d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action from 15 November to 19 December 1943, in Italy. Major Wells led his men in the holding of the mountain and in the subsequent capture of another mountain, which permitted the expansion of the entire division front. Although operating for long periods over rocky terrain ingeniously mined and booby-trapped and under constant artillery, mortar and small arms fire from the enemy, he moved along with his front-line troops, encouraging them and directing them on to their ultimate achievement. Throughout the operations, where difficult trails were made tortuous by severe weather, he worked day and night with little or no rest, leading, supervising and directing his forces to the defeat of a well-entrenched enemy. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Wells, 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.