The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Coast Artillery Corps) John J. O’Malley (ASN: 0-1047708), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Battery A, *** Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, 95th Infantry Division, on 4 December 1944, in the vicinity of Saarlautern, Germany. With the vital mission of providing anti-aircraft defense for a bridge across the Saar River, Captain O’Malley accompanied by other officers reconnoitered for suitable gun positions in Saarlautern while that town was still in fierce dispute. Captain O’Malley’s reconnaissance was successful despite heavy German shelling and small arms fire which many times imperiled him. Later in the day Captain O’Malley visited the gun positions he had selected and when a German shell struck near a two-and-one-half ton truck whose cargo consisted of 40 millimeter ammunition, and set the truck on fire, Captain O’Malley with utter disregard for his own safety assisted in putting out the fire. The courage, coolness and high order of leadership demonstrated by Captain O’Malley on these occasions reflect great credit upon him and on the military service.