The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant John D. Beal (ASN: 37219598), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Germany, on 23 February 1945. Sergeant Beal was leading his squad in an attack across open terrain when an enemy machine gun opened fire from a building to the front. Realizing that his men could not reach cover, Sergeant Beal, without hesitation and with utter disregard for personal safety, dashed for the enemy position, fired a rifle grenade through a window and knocked out the enemy machine gun. While so engaged, he was mortally wounded. His gallant self-sacrifice enabled his squad to capture the house and five Germans, thereby eliminating a particularly troublesome enemy strongpoint and contributing materially to the subsequent seizure of the town of ****, Germany. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.