The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Medical Corps) John J. Rich (ASN: 0-531518), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Officer with the 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 29 March 1945 in Germany. As a rifle company advanced in an attack it was caught in an enemy artillery barrage which caused a number of casualties. Captain Rich, whose aid station was displacing forward, came to assist a company aid man who had done all he could in the emergency. An examination of one of the men indicated that one arm was so badly shattered above the elbow that application of a tourniquet was useless. Realizing that immediate action was necessary, Captain Rich, disregarding the continued enemy fire, performed an amputation with the aid of a civilian surgeon. The great courage and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Rich under fire reflect highest credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.