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 (Corps of Engineers) John W. Sparling, Jr. (ASN: 0-1115801), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 150th Engineer Combat Battalion, 1135th Engineer Combat Group, in action against the enemy on 9 September 1944, in France. During an assault crossing of the *****, River, Lieutenant Sparling had the mission of getting supplies and ammunition to the troops isolated on the enemy shore and to evacuate the wounded. As he launched three assault boats the entire area was brought under intense mortar and automatic small arms fire. Two boats were hit and all occupants and supplies were lost. Lieutenant Spurling led his men to a spot where they could take cover on the reverse side of the strip. As the entire strip and only existent escape route was open to enemy observation and fire, Lieutenant Sperling and his men undressed and got into the river and, by swimming, pushed the boat with the wounded around the inside circumference of the river to the supply point where some cover existed. It was then discovered that the enemy had brought up automatic weapons on both flanks and even to the rear of the landing strip. Despite the continuous automatic fire, Lieutenant Sparling proceeded to spur his men in manning the boats, evacuating wounded, and in continuing the flow of ammunition to the isolated Infantry troops on the enemy shore. AT least twenty trips were made during the night and during this time four boats were sunk and all personnel lost. The courage, initiative, leadership, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Sperling reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.