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 Fifth Grade John Thompson (ASN: 32516298), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 105th Engineer Combat Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 7 July 1944, in France. Technician Fifth Grade Thompson was a member of an engineer unit given the assignment of constructing a bridge across which infantry troops were to assault the enemy positions. When the first spans of the bridge were laid, a barrage of enemy artillery blasted the construction, damaging the bridge. Although knocked down by the concussion and painfully wounded by shrapnel, Technician Fourth Grade Thompson unhesitatingly began to salvage the materials left undamaged and continued his mission, In the face of small arms, mortar, and artillery fire which the enemy threw on this exposed site, he remained on duty until the mission was accomplished. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty exhibited by Technician Fifth Grade Thompson reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.