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 Sergeant John W. Sutton (ASN: 20760001), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 161st Field Artillery Battalion, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, France, on 8 and 9 August 1944. When the infantry unit to which his forward observer section was attached was attacked and cut off from rear elements by enemy tanks and rocket-firing infantry, Sergeant Sutton acted as an observer under enemy mortar and small arms fire, directing accurate artillery fire upon enemy positions. On the following day, while accompanying an officer and another enlisted man on a reconnaissance patrol, the group was fired upon from behind a hedgerow. Although he did not know the strength of the enemy in this position, Sergeant Sutton leaped across the hedgerow without hesitation, killed one German and forced the others to withdraw. Later that day, 9 August 1944, Sergeant Sutton was killed by shell fragments during an enemy mortar barrage. His intrepid actions are in keeping with the highest military traditions.