Harry D. Chism

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Harry D. Chism (34916419), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Manning a BAR mounted on the hood of a quarter-ton car, Private First Class Chism assaulted an enemy platoon employing machine gun, machine pistol and rifle fire against his patrol on the afternoon of 9 April 1945, near Maddenhausen, Germany. Rushing straight through 50 yards of woods, he drove directly upon the enemy group and captured 14 additional Germans. His unorthodox assault accomplished the mission of the patrol.