Citation Needed – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes Pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant John Usuka, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 489th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, 4th Armored Division, in action near Avranches, Germany, in March 1945. On that date, the gun section commanded by Sergeant Usuka was completely cut off from the rest of their battery. After four hours their battery commander finally contacted the section by radio and advised Sergeant Usuka to try and break through to the Battery Command Post, which was located in the French village of Le Pont Gilbert. Under heavy artillery and small arms fire, Sergeant Usuka climbed in his M-16 and with all guns blazing, led his second half-track, an M-15, across a bridge onto the road leading north into Avranches. To tremendous was the volume of fire put out by Sergeant Usuka and his crew that they literally had to push the enemy dead and destroyed vehicles aside with their half-tracks. After clearing the bridge, Sergeant Usuka’s track tipped over on an enemy road block, and Sergeant Usuka covered the withdrawal of his squad with an M-1 rifle and a submachine gun. He fired two bandoliers of .30-caliber ammunition and finally, when his ammunition was exhausted, engaged three Germans in hand-to-hand combat and succeeded in defeating all three of them. He then rejoined his squad and led them back to the Battery Command Post. Sergeant Usuka’s gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.