The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) John F. MacAllister (ASN: 0-517515), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 121st Engineer Combat Battalion, 29th Infantry Division. On 6 June 1944, during the initial assault on the beaches of Northern France, Second Lieutenant MacAllister voluntarily joined a reconnaissance party which entered, from the rear, the heavily defended beach exit at Vierville-sur-Mer to determine the enemy dispositions at that place. Although exposed to enemy observation and fire from fortified positions in the hills overlooking the beach exit, and to friendly naval gunfire which was being directed against the enemy positions at or near this beach exit, this patrol accomplished its mission, obtained much valuable information, and captured prisoners. In his active participation in this successful and hazardous reconnaissance, without regard for his own safety. Second Lieutenant MacAllister demonstrated a high degree of courage which reflected great credit on himself and the Military Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Second Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers)Batallion:
121st Engineer Combat BattalionDivision:
29th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
June 7, 1944
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 Second Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) John F. MacAllister (ASN: 0-517515), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 121st Engineer Combat Battalion, 29th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on the morning of 7 June 1944, in Normandy, France. Second Lieutenant MacAllister came to the rescue of twenty-five officers and enlisted men of the battalion staff who had become trapped in a trench while fighting a delaying action. Disregarding his own peril, Second Lieutenant MacAllister braved a hail of enemy machine gun fire to reach the officers and men to notify them of their predicament. He then guided them back to safety, continually exposing himself to enemy fire, and suffering a painful wound in so doing. His intrepid actions saved the group from annihilation and reflect great credit upon himself and the Military Service.