The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant John A. Cook (ASN: 39263914), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 15 April 1945, in the vicinity of Kesselfield, Germany. Sergeant Cook led his squad around the flank of the company to dislodge the enemy from their strongly entrenched position. Sergeant Cook, cognizant of the danger and advancing under artillery fire, continued his mission until he had reached a position to bring effective small arms fire on the enemy. At this point Sergeant Cook was killed. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Cook in his gallant devotion to duty reflects high credit upon himself and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.