The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant John J. Zaro, Jr. (ASN: 32600315), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 23 January 1945, in the vicinity of Bennwihr, France. Sergeant Zaro exhibited outstanding courage in voluntarily exposing himself to the hidden dangers of schu-mines and the evident dangers of small arms, mortar and artillery fire, striking close enough to throw dirt and snow on him, for the purpose of evacuating wounded members of his battalion. He made several trips into the schu-mine field without benefit of paths or guides. His gallantry and regard for others are in accord with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.