The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) John C. Simmons, Jr. (ASN: 0-436014), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of an A-20 Havoc Bomber of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force, in aerial operations in the North Africa Theater of Operations, on 22 February 1943. Lieutenant Simmons received orders to bomb and strafe military targets along the road from Thala to Kasserine Pass, Tunisia. Approaching the objective, he encountered such a solid weather front that it would have been justifiable to return without completing the mission. Fully cognizant of the heavy concentrations of enemy fire below him, Lieutenant Simmons nevertheless dropped to a very low altitude to get under the overcast and strafe and bomb enemy tanks, trucks, and personnel Subsequent enemy fire forced his plane to crash and he was reported as missing in action. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Simmons, 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 Air Forces.