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 Colonel (Infantry) John Wyville Sheehy (ASN: 0-12297), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, in action on 15 June 1944 in the vicinity of Gourbesville, France. When informed by reconnaissance elements that several machine gun nests blocked a road leading into the town, Colonel Sheehy, fully aware of the dangers involved, made a reconnaissance of the route to obtain more information regarding the enemy defenses. Upon entering the field alone in order to survey the terrain over which his troops would pass, he was mortally wounded by machine gun fire. Despite his mortal wound, he advanced toward the machine gun nest, firing his pistol as he moved forward, until he succumbed from a final burst of fire. His gallantry will be a lasting inspiration to all men under his command and was in accordance with high military tradition.