The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) John E. Davis (ASN: 0-1307520), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of **** and ****, Belgium, on 30 December 1944. En route to ****, with the mission of supporting the 3d Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment, which was being sharply counterattacked, Company E was subjected to intense enemy fire from strong German forces, and surrounded. After the commanding officer and all other platoon leaders had become casualties, Lieutenant Davis assumed command, promptly reorganized the company, and worked out a plan of action, then led his troops to their original position in the 2d Battalion area, killing forty Germans and capturing seven. He then coordinated the action of his company with an adjoining company, in maintaining the original defensive line against repeated German attacks. Lieutenant Davis’ intrepidity and cool-headed action under adverse circumstances reflect credit upon his character as an officer.