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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Private First Class John Roskos (ASN: 33916919), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 255th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 11 April 1945, in the vicinity of Weissbach, Germany. When his platoon was held up by intense enemy fire from the front, Private First Class Roskos, by creeping and crawling, got to within fifteen yards of two of the enemy. One German fired at him and missed. Private First Class Roskos immediately returned fire, killing both enemy soldiers. As his platoon was still being fired upon, he circled a woods and came upon another German who was keeping the platoon from moving. With four rounds he eliminated the enemy sniper, enabling the platoon to advance. Private First Class Roskos’ brave action and initiative reflects the highest credit upon himself and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    255th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    63d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 10, 1945
    Headquarters, 63d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 468 (August 4, 1945)

    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 Roskos (ASN: 33916919), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 255th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 10 April 1945, in the vicinity of Bieringen, Germany. When the platoon was held up by enemy machine gun fire from a tower to their front, Private First Class Roskos, taking his squad, proceeded around the right of a small clump of woods directly to the front. Leaving his squad to cover him, he gallantly advanced toward the position until he encountered three enemy in fox holes near the tower. He captured these men and escorted them to the rear door of the building where he pushed them quickly through the opening into a courtyard. Upon a scaffolding at the top of the tower he saw nineteen of the enemy with two machine guns, and as he was unobserved, he fired his automatic rifle over their heads and called upon them to surrender. AT this time his squad arrived and helped him disarm the enemy. Private First Class Roskos’ aggressiveness and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.