Major Harold B. Ayers, DSC

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), 351st Infantry Regiment

General Orders, Number 70

10 June 1945

HAROLD B. AYRES, (0412026), Major, Infantry, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action on 25 April 1945, near Nogara, Italy. Commanding an infantry Battalion, Major AYRES led an advance toward the city of Verona. The leading platoon riding atop an armored car and tank destroyers was halted when the scout car was struck by an armor piercing shell and two German 20mm aircraft automatic cannon supported by seven machine guns laid down an intensive concentration of fire. Major AYRES boldly ran forward alone through a hail of fire and dragged three wounded men from the armored car. With all his men under cover, he made his way to the nearest tank destroyer to deliver an order for a flanking attack. Instructing the destroyers to follow him, Major AYRES led his men and armor along the road, indicating targets for the tank destroyers. As Major AYRES approached a bridge, a German machine gun opened fire at point-blank range. He killed the gunner with carbine fire and, rushing the position, killed two more Germans. Spotting several Germans fleeing to the refuge of a farmhouse, he directed the tank destroyers to open fire and then, courageously dashing through intense machine pistol fire, threw two hand grenades through a window, forcing a German officer and his surviving gun crew to surrender. Within a few minutes, the tank destroyers had destroyed the anti-tank gun and the two 20mm cannon, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. The outstanding heroism and coolness under fire displayed by Major AYRES were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered military service from New Orleans, Louisiana.

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General Orders No. 70, Headquarters, Fifth Army, 10 June 1945; World War II Operational and Unit Records; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, Record Group 407; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

Photo: "Harold Boswell Ayres," Hall of Valor Database, Military Times, accessed February 13, 2025, https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-6327/.