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 Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) John Newton Wilson (ASN: 0-19803), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 219th Field Artillery Battalion, 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of *****, France, 11 July 1944. When the infantry regiment which his artillery battalion was supporting directly moved to its initial contact with the enemy, without regard for his own safety, Colonel Wilson moved aggressively forward with the infantry commander’s party as an example to his artillery liaison officer and forward observers and other troops on their initial cay of combat, and in an effort to locate appropriate artillery targets, thereby assisting the advance of the infantry. His actions reflect credit upon his character as an officer and are in accord with the highest traditions of the military service.