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 Salopek (ASN: 0-553721), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division. On 6 January 1945 at Gambsheim, France, Lieutenant Salopek with one other soldier went out to reconnoiter a route in the face of heavy enemy fire in order to make contact with an adjacent unit. When trapped by approximately seventy-five enemy soldiers, he attempted to make them surrender and ordered his companion to safety. Lieutenant Salopek has been reported as missing in action.