The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Private First Class] John F. Cheek (ASN: 34848598), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Luxembourg, on 4 January 1945. When his company’s advance was halted by machine gun fire coming from the direction of a haystack in an open field, Sergeant Cheek, a Browning Automatic Rifleman, voluntarily made his way toward the hostile weapon in the face of enemy small arms, mortar and observed artillery fire. Stealthily gaining a position to the rear of the haystack which was only a few yards removed from the Germany emplacement, he hurled a hand grenade, then opened fire with his Browning Automatic Rifle, killing two of the enemy crew. Having caught the enemy completely off guard by this daring action, Sergeant Cheek then captured a third German soldiers as well as the machine gun. Sergeant Cheek’s intrepid deeds enabled his unit to resume its advance, undoubtedly prevented many casualties and served as an inspiration to his comrades. 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.