The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John J. Yankuskie (ASN: 33573564), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 25 January 1945, near Haguenau, France. Voluntarily exposing himself to intense enemy mortar and artillery fire, Private Yankuskie crept forward from his foxhole to locate an enemy observation post. Despite the fact that his knee was shattered by shell fragments, he located the position and pointed it out to his platoon sergeant. His mission accomplished, he refused assistance in order not to further weaken the platoon’s strength and made his way alone through deep snow and under heavy enemy fire to the aid station. Private Yankuskie’s gallant action resulted in the destruction of an enemy observation post, enabling the battalion to subsequently launch its attack free from enemy artillery fire.