The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant John J. Olsofka (ASN: 36340502), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 337th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division, in action on 23 April 1945, in Italy. When his squad was subjected to intense enemy small arms fire from a group of ten enemy who attempted to flee, Staff Sergeant Olsofka ordered his second in command to take command, seized an automatic rifle, and advanced by short rushes to an advantageous position within fifty yards of the enemy flank. Calling on the hostile group to surrender, he received a deadly burst of return fire but undaunted by their stubbornness, he delivered such a hail of fire that he succeeded in killing one, wounding two, and forcing the remainder to surrender. Sergeant Olsofka’s bold aggressiveness and quick thinking prevented casualties among his squad and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.