The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) John M. Crute, Jr. (ASN: 0-1298506), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 143d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Italy, on 21 January 1944. The Infantry Regiment of which Lieutenant Crute was a member was ordered to cross a river and attack the enemy entrenched in the terrain beyond. The attack was launched under terrific enemy artillery, nebelwerfer, mortar and small arms fire across a deep, fast-flowing river and over ground further protected by mine fields, booby traps and barbed wire. Cover was negligible in the last 700 yards of the river approaches and this further complicated the difficulties encountered in bringing boats and other equipment to the river line. Many boats were destroyed before leaving the shore and many others were destroyed in the water by short range enemy small arms fire. Some of the occupants of the boats destroyed in the river were hit and all were thrown into deep water. In the face of these obstacles he and the other Infantrymen pressed home their attack, crossing the river and penetrating deeply into enemy-held territory. Subsequently, repeated savage counterattacks by the enemy succeeded in overrunning the positions. In the furious fighting which continued over a two-day period and which cost the enemy heavy casualties in killed and wounded, Lieutenant Crute lost his life. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.