The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) John W. Jacobs (ASN: 0-538278), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 230th Field Artillery Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 24 February 1945, in Germany. During an attack, the infantry force with which First Lieutenant Jacob’s forward observation party was serving was pinned down by fire from two enemy tanks. Despite this severe fire, First Lieutenant Jacobs and his comrades crawled to a ditch and began directing artillery fire on them. Although the tanks moved toward their position, he and his comrades continued directing fire. When the tanks withdrew the infantry immediately secured their objective. Then later when eight enemy tanks massed for a counterattack, First Lieutenant Jacobs and his comrades remained in a hazardous position and directed artillery fire on the tanks, forcing them to withdraw. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Jacobs, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) John W. Jacobs (ASN: 0-538278), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 230th Field Artillery Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Jacobs, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.