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 L. Wilson (ASN: 12174925), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 14 April 1945, in the vicinity of Goggenbach, Germany. Sergeant Wilson and his crew of mortar men were forced by heavy fire to abandon their vehicles and seek safety one hundred yards away from their carriers. Upon receiving a call for help from the advance platoon, Sergeant Wilson, disregarding his own safety, ran the distance in the weapons carrier and under intense fire drove it to a relatively safe position to set up his mortars. He then returned to the other carrier and brought it up to the position. Both times the carriers were hit by enemy machine gun fire and shell fragments. Then, taking position in the attic of a nearby building, and although the building was struck by shells, he remained at his post and successfully directed the fire of his mortars, neutralizing two enemy machine guns. The gallantry in action and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Wilson reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the Armed Forces of the United States.