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 Private First Class John H. Stephenson (ASN: 31166913), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 242d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division. On 25 January 1945, near Kaltenhouse, France, while attempting to reach a house across an open field which was subjected to heavy enemy fire, Private Stephenson was shot in the shoulder by sniper fire. Falling near one of the other members of his platoon who had been wounded in the thigh and seeing that the other man could not move his leg, Private Stephenson called for help to move the man out of danger. When the platoon sergeant was killed in responding to his call, Private Stephenson, in spite of his wounds and the intense enemy fire, attempted to move the other man to safety without assistance. While so doing, he was shot again and killed.