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) John L. Strader (ASN: 0-447932), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Normandy, France, during the period 17 to 19 July 1944. Lieutenant Strader, Executive Officer of Company A, 134th Infantry Regiment, was wounded in the shoulder by a shell fragment during the attack on ****, 17 July 1944, and was taken to the aid station for treatment and evacuation. Upon learning that his company commander had become a casualty, he immediately returned to his company and assumed command. The following day he supervised a reorganization of the company and, exercising great personal bravery, skillfully led his company in an attack which succeeded in straightening the battalion line. On 19 July 1944, he led a reconnaissance patrol to the outskirts of **** under heavy concentrations of enemy artillery fire and through an area infested by snipers, and obtained information of vital importance. He was wounded in the leg by an enemy sniper during this patrol. The personal bravery of Lieutenant Strader, his skillful leadership ability and his zealous devotion to duty at a time when he was suffering from increasingly painful wounds, contributed immeasurably to the successful accomplishment of the battalion mission and reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.