The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal John M. Stadnik (ASN: 35254757), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 743d Tank Battalion (Separate), attached to the 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 19 December 1944, in Belgium. Corporal Stadnik knocked out an enemy half-track during a severe enemy counterattack. Finding that he was unable to depress his gun due to debris on the front plates of the tank, he climbed out of the turret and gallantly exposed himself to the enemy fire while he sprayed enemy positions with machine gun fire as he knocked the debris away. Corporal Stadnik then covered the retreat of friendly forces and, rather than abandon his tank, took a secondary route back to friendly lines. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Corporal Stadnik, 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.