The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant [then Private First Class] John Q. Stanley (ASN: 35434896), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 4 October 1944 in France. During the attack on the town of Sivry, France, on 4 October 1944, the platoon in which Technical Sergeant Stanley served as a squad leader was delayed by the fire of a machine gun emplaced in an orchard. Perceiving the necessity of neutralizing the enemy weapon, Technical Sergeant Stanley crawled toward the orchard. En route, he surprised three German snipers in a barn and, having captured them, proceeded to attack the enemy machine gun which he destroyed and captured three more Germans. Technical Sergeant Stanley’s courage, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.