Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 1 (January 1, 1943) & General Orders No. 4 (January 8, 1943)
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 Henry Germeraad (ASN: 0-437433), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy on 3 October 1942, while acting in his capacity as Airplane Commander of a four-engine Heavy Bomber (B-24D) of the 345th Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), NINTH Air Force, during a difficult and hazardous mission over Navarino Bay. First Lieutenant Germeraad did, upon leaving the target after the long, grueling and trying performance so skillfully maintain his formation and direct the fire of his combat crew that it succeeded in downing an enemy fighter plane that was attacking another plane in the same element of the formation. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Germeraad, 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.