The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Horace Pearl (ASN: 20228209), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 3d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 24 June 1944, near ****, France. Staff Sergeant Pearl voluntarily led a four man patrol far behind enemy lines to secure identification of enemy units. His route was over a causeway across the Douve River. Finding the bridge demolished, he swam his patrol over the river under enemy observation and was immediately attacked with machine gun fire. With cool judgment and exceptional skill, Staff Sergeant Pearl led his men to the enemy and destroyed the hostile outpost, killing four. He then took three men and pushed back approximately 30 Germans while other cut identification from the dead enemy and searched them for information. This completed, he took his men back safely across the river without casualty, having secured valuable data for his unit. His courage, initiative and skill were a credit to the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.