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 Vernon J. Jochman (ASN: 36260351), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 230th Field Artillery Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 15 April 1945, in Germany. When two ammunition trucks loaded with four hundred rounds of high explosives were ignited by enemy artillery fire, a fragment of one of the exploding vehicles ignited a kitchen truck. Technician Fourth Grade Jochman immediately ran to the vehicle and, amid the hostile artillery fire and the exploding shells from the burning ammunition trucks, he courageously labored until the fire was completely extinguished and the truck was driven to safety. His heroic actions reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.