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 Fourth Grade [then Private First Class] John T. Hartley (ASN: 32386528), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company C, *** Engineer Combat Battalion, 88th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near *****, Italy, on 25 July 1944. Technician Fourth Grade Hartley had taken his D-7 Angledozer to a job in the vicinity of *****, Italy, just south of the *******. The night was dark. The Germans were in positions on the north bank of the river waiting. After having already constructed one by-pass on the main highway, Technician Fourth Grade Hartley approached the second demolished bridge in order to make a by-pass around it. He moved his dozer into position and took a bite of earth. The roar of the motor called down mortar and artillery fire from the waiting Germans. Shell fragments sprayed the area. A shell landing five feet behind the dozer threw Technician Fourth Grade Hartley out of the seat and to the ground. As quickly as the noise of the dozer subsided the shelling ceased. Technician Fourth Grade Hartley crawled up to his seat again and continued to work. Again shells poured in on him, and again he had to stop working because they were coming too close. After two hours of shelling the work was completed, and as the dozer left the worksite, the shells followed him down the road, ceasing only after he had reached the cover of the hills. Technician Fourth Grade Hartley’s gallant act is indicative of his work throughout the campaign. It was apparent that the artillery and mortars were trained perfectly on the demolished bridge, yet at the risk of his life, he wheeled his machine back and forth across the stream bed, a perfect target for shells, until the job was completed. Technician Fourth Grade Hartley’s devotion to duty is an inspiration and example to the men of his organization. His actions are a credit to himself and to the military service.