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 Staff Sergeant Johnnie Konarik (ASN: 38026870), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 143d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action on 27 August 1944 in France. Sergeant Konarik, a squad leader, was assigned the mission of protecting the left flank of his platoon sector. When a strong hostile force attempted to infiltrate through a densely wooded area to the left of his position, Sergeant Konarik, acting entirely on his own initiative, left his prepared defense to lead a counterattack against the enemy. He swiftly placed his men in advantageous positions on the enemy flank, then crawled forward to spot within fifteen yards of the hostile fore. As he began hurling hand grenades into the midst of the enemy, his squad opened fire. Although he became the target for direct machine gun and rifle fire, he pressed dauntlessly forward, hurling hand grenades as he advanced. The hostile group hastily withdrew, and, as Sergeant Konarik led his squad in pursuit, he was mortally wounded by an enemy-hurled grenade. As a result of his heroic sacrifice, a grave threat to his unit’s safety was eliminated.