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 (Chemical Warfare Service) Ira I. Flesch (ASN: 0-1035008), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Headquarters, 90th Infantry Division in action during the period 7 December to 18 December 1944, in the vicinity of Wallerfangen, Germany. During the establishment of a beachhead across the Saar River, it became necessary to cover an area of approximately four miles of the Saar Valley with smoke to conceal troop movements. To insure the successful completion of this mission, Captain Flesch, Assistant Division Chemical Officer, traversed the entire area for a period of eleven days, and, despite intense enemy fire, made regular inspection of the smoke generators. His courageous act materially aided the success of the mission. His gallantry was in accordance with high military tradition.