The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) John T. Hoyne (ASN: 0-267299), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in ****, France, on 23 August 1944. When the Division Commander decided to determine whether the surrounded garrison in **** would elect to surrender or suffer annihilation, Colonel Hoyne voluntarily headed a truce party which entered the city in search of the enemy commander. Colonel Hoyne led this party unarmed because the best information available was that the German Garrison would not honor a white flag. With utter disregard for personal safety, Colonel Hoyne and the party entered the city and traversed a great part of it in an effort to contact the enemy commander. During this time the party was under full observation of the enemy and any false move would have brought down a hail of enemy fire. Although the enemy commander could not be found, information which greatly facilitated the capture of the city was obtained by Colonel Hoyne while in the city. The gallantry in actions as displayed reflects great credit upon Colonel Hoyne and upon the military service.