Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    254th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    63d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 2, 1945

    Headquarters, 63d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 577 (August 24, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant John L. Martin (ASN: 42031152), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 2 April 1945, in the vicinity of Tiefenbach, Germany. While Sergeant Martin’s platoon was in the attack, they were held up by a heavy concentration of machine gun fire. Sergeant Martin, although constantly exposed to this fire, crawled forward until he was within fifteen yards of the enemy machine gunner and threw a hand grenade, killing him instantly. Returning back to his platoon, he was fired on by another enemy machine gun and as he jumped into a draw for cover he severely sprained both ankles. Although suffering great pain, he succeeded in crawling up out of the draw and resumed fire on five retreating enemy riflemen, wounding three of them who were later captured. The gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Martin reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the Armed Forces of the United States.