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 (Infantry) Harry J. Frear (ASN: 0-1294814), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 28 January 1945, near ****, Belgium. First Lieutenant Frear, a platoon leader, distinguished himself by establishing himself as the point of his platoon which was the spearhead of the battalion assault upon the outlying fortifications of the Siegfried Line. In an action lasting eleven hours and fought in waist-deep snow drifts, First Lieutenant Frear displayed a high order of aggressive and courageous leadership by personally entering enemy occupied bunkers on five different occasions and killing and routing the occupants with hand grenades. He killed seven Germans who were attempting to hold up the advance of his platoon with his Thompson Sub-Machine Gun, one of whom was later identified as the battalion commander of the enemy troops in the vicinity. Throughout the entire action he completely disregarded all consideration of his personal safety as he directed BAR and machine gun fire upon enemy strongpoints. By his exhibition of fearless disregard of the intense enemy fire, he instilled great confidence in his men and inspired them to the successful completion of a hazardous mission under the most trying conditions of weather and terrain. His conduct during this action was such to reflect highly upon himself and the United States Airborne Forces.