The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Howard C. Berry (ASN: 36420618), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in action in the vicinity of ****, Normandy, France, on 11 July 1944. Private Berry’s platoon as well as other elements of his company were pinned down in an open field by enemy machine gun and mortar fire. Private Berry crawled forward of his own front to a position near an enemy machine gun nest which was delivering fire upon his unit’s position and inflicting casualties on his platoon. In the face of withering fire and without regard for his own life, Private Berry threw two hand grenades into the enemy machine gun position, neutralizing its fire and enabling his platoon to advance. His courage, gallantry in action, and skill under fire, disregard for his own personal safety, resulted in the destruction of a strategically placed enemy machine gun position, furthered the advance of his own platoon, and reflects high credit upon Private Berry and the Military Service.