The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) John Chuk (ASN: 0-2006214), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division. On 12 March 1945, near Lichtenberg, France, Lieutenant Chuk led a combat patrol of thirty-nine men under constant mortar and small arms fire, directing them so skillfully that they inflicted numerous casualties upon the enemy. Discovering after the patrol withdrew that two of the men were missing, Lieutenant Chuk returned to the enemy territory under heavy artillery, mortar, and small arms fire and brought the wounded men back to his own lines.