The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technician Fourth Grade John Lukins (ASN: 37272057), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 743d Tank Battalion (Separate), attached to the 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 14 September 1944, in Holland. Technician Fourth Grade Lukins was serving as a tank driver with a tank battalion engaged in action against the enemy. Enemy artillery scored a direct hit on the tank, wounding Technician Fourth Grade Lukins and his assistant driver. Realizing that to halt the tank would probably result in its destruction by fire from observed enemy positions, Technician Fourth Grade Lukins elected to remain at his post. When he had driven the tank to a position of relative safety, he ordered that his assistant driver be given medical aid, and although weak from loss of blood and shock from his injuries, waited until his companion had been treated before he informed anyone of his own wounds. His gallant actions saved his tank and its personnel from almost certain destruction by the enemy. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Technician Fourth Grade Lukins, 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.