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 W. Horton (ASN: 34739217), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 333d Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Belgium on 25 December 1944. During a fierce enemy counterattack which forced his unit to withdraw temporarily from positions which had been established the night before, Private First Class Horton, disdaining the danger from heavy enemy sniper fire immediately to his rear and mortar and small arms fire from the front, placed himself in an exposed position in order to get his machine gun in action and, with the support of other guns which were then able to maneuver into position, placed such effective fire on the enemy that the counterattack was repulsed and the original positions reoccupied. Later, on 26 December 1944, Private First Class Horton was killed in action against the enemy. The cool courage, unswerving devotion to duty and tenacious fighting spirit displayed by Private First Class Horton reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.