The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Joyan W. Peterson (ASN: 37170994), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action near ****, Germany, on 6 March 1943. When the advance of his platoon was halted by enemy machine gun fire, Sergeant Peterson, a squad leader, flanked the enemy position, killed an enemy gunner and captured six Germans, thereby relieving the pressure on his unit. Sergeant Peterson then went forward under enemy fire and evacuated a wounded comrade, then directed a tank to a forward position and assisted in the evacuation of two more seriously wounded men. Sergeant Peterson’s intrepidity and loyalty to wounded comrades reflect high credit upon his character as a soldier.