The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) John G. Gerl (ASN: 0-1322903), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 10 August 1944, in France. During the period 6 August 1944 to 12 August 1944, a battalion of an infantry unit of which First Lieutenant Gerl was a member was completely surrounded on Hill 314 at Mortain, France, in a determined attempt by the Germans to separate the American forces in Brittany from those in Normandy. These troops, for the entire period, were sorely in need of water, food, and medical supplies. On 10 August 1944, American planes flew over the area and dropped supplies, but these supplies landed in back of the enemy lines. First Lieutenant Gerl asked for volunteers to accompany him into enemy territory in an effort to recover these vital supplies. Knowing the hazards of such an undertaking, First Lieutenant Gerl, along with another officer and a group of enlisted men, started on this mission at approximately 1600. Immediately upon entering the enemy territory, the group encountered a German tank. They instantly employed their bazooka team and promptly knocked out the tank. Their presence now discovered, the enemy, because of the excellent observation afforded, was able to subject this gallant group of men to an intense amount of small arms fire. Undaunted by the heavy enemy fire, they continued on their mission and were able to recover about three-fourths of the supplies dropped into enemy territory. Because of the devotion and determination shown by this brave group of men, Hill 314, at Mortain, France, was able to hold out against almost insurmountable odds, and the gallantry and initiative displayed by First Lieutenant Gerl on this occasion were a material contribution to this successful mission.