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 Technician Fourth Grade John W. Meier (ASN: 35878008), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Aidmen with the Medical Detachment, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of Willerath, Germany, on 1 March 1945. The infantry company which Technician Fourth Grade Meier served became immobilized by intense machine gun and rifle fire. Several casualties were sustained, one of whom lay approximately fifty yards beyond Technician Fourth Grade Meier’s position. On his own initiative and against the advice of his superiors, he crawled forward through a hail of machine gun fire, reached the wounded man, and administered first aid. Technician Fourth Grade Meier thereupon started to drag him toward a point from which he could be evacuated, but had traveled only a short distance when he too became seriously wounded. However, his medical aid and assistance already administered were responsible for saving the life of the casualty. Technician Fourth Grade Meier’s heroic actions in behalf of his wounded companion are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Technician Fifth GradeRegiment:
8th Infantry RegimentDivision:
4th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
November 30, 1944
Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 9 (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 Technician Fifth Grade John W. Meier (ASN: 35878008), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Aidmen with the Medical Detachment, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany, on 30 November 1944. On that date, Technician Fifth Grade Meier accompanied forward infantry elements during a coordinated infantry and tank assault upon powerful Hurtgen Forest fortifications, courageously administering to the wounded during the heat of battle. Hostile rocket fire immobilized and ignited a nearby tank, which was quickly converted into a flaming wreck. Technician Fifth Grade Meier, observing several crew members hastily evacuating the tank, realized that there might be others in the vehicle who were unable to dismount because of injuries. He dashed to the burning vehicle, where he discovered the tank commander, severely burned and wounded. Although heavy enemy fire was still directed at the vehicle, Technician Fifth Grade Meier deftly extricated the wounded man from the tank and placed him in a covered position. Running through direct hostile machine gun fire delivered from a point only thirty yards away he procured an assistant and a litter, whereupon he ran the gauntlet of enemy fire a second time in reaching the stricken tank commander. Assisted by his companion, he then evacuated the casualty to the forward aid station, where timely medical treatment saved his life. Technician Fifth Grade Meier’s exemplary display of courage and proficiency under fire and his complete display of courage and proficiency under fire and his complete subjugation of self-interest in behalf of the wounded are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.