The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant John D. Reilman (ASN: 19049838), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Cannon Company, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Sicily, on 9 July 1943. The Company Headquarters of Company E, 15th Infantry Regiment, landed on the beach during the hours of darkness at approximately 0400 and was separated from the remainder of the company during the operation. While debarking from the landing craft, Staff Sergeant Reilman seriously injured his right hand to the extent of being practically deprived of its use. With complete disregard for his own suffering and serious loss of blood, he refused medical aid and voluntarily carried in addition to his normal equipment, a box of machine gun ammunition. Again voluntarily, without regard for his personal safety, and in the face of small arms fire and air bombardment, he acted as scout while the Company Headquarters group moved through barbed wire entanglements to high ground beyond. The distance covered was approximately three miles. Immediately Staff Sergeant Reilman voluntarily assembled sufficient members of the company to attack the enemy. It was only when the company objective had been taken that he accepted first aid and was evacuated. Staff Sergeant Reilman’s determination, though he was in severe pain, his devotion to duty and gallant conduct under enemy fire reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.