The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private John E. Housley, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 335th Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division, in Germany, on 29 November 1944. When his company was subjected to heavy enemy artillery, mortar and small arms fire during an attack, Private Housley, performing duty as a medical aid man, with complete disregard for his personal safety under fire, administered first aid to a large number of casualties as no other aid men were available. In the performance of his difficult task, Private Housley was seriously wounded while crawling approximately 200 yards under machine gun and sniper fire to aid a wounded soldier. The superior performance of duty, courage and unselfish actions displayed by Private Housley, without doubt, resulted in the saving of many lives and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.