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 First Class John H. Thurman (ASN: 39722111), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 28 November 1944 in France. On that date, Private First Class Thurman, while on patrol duty, ambushed three enemy riflemen escorting twenty-eight captured American soldiers to German headquarters. Armed with a .45 caliber pistol he killed one guard and engaged a second guard who had ineffectively fired at him point blank. In the ensuing struggle Private First Class Thurman succeeded in killing his assailant while other members of the patrol were eliminating the third guard. He then led the freed prisoners back to the safety of their battalion. The courage, aggressiveness, and sincere devotion to duty displayed by Private First Class Thurman were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.