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 Fifth Grade [then Private First Class] John W. Horton (ASN: 32910526), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Medical Detachment, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 14 August 1944, in France. Technician Fifth Grade Horton, as an aid man, ran under enemy fire to a wounded comrade. As he succeeded in stopping the bleeding the enemy began to advance causing his company to withdraw. He lay across the wounded man still holding a pressure point to stop bleeding. The enemy by-passed him and in subsequent events his company retook the ground and he returned the wounded man to his lines. His outstanding courage and loyal devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.