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 (Infantry) John Valentine Lehnerd, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 10 January 1945, in Belgium. When a sudden concentration of enemy mortar fire fell on advancing troops and set an ammunition vehicle ablaze, First Lieutenant Lehnerd left his sheltered position and went out into enemy fire to shovel snow on the vehicle in which the ammunition was exploding. After the blaze had diminished, he helped detach the trailer and drove the vehicle into an open field, where he succeeded in extinguishing the flames. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Lehnerd, 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.