The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class John D. Barrick (ASN: 1;9208764), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the *** Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), III Corps, in action against the enemy on 3 December 1944, in *****, France. While the first platoon of Troop C, *** Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), was under heavy artillery and small arms fire, it was necessary to cross an exposed area and return with vehicles which were needed to evacuate wounded men. Private First Class Barrick eagerly volunteered to undertake this mission and made the crossing, three consecutive times, returning each time with one of the essential vehicles. He then volunteered, without consideration of the personal risk involved, to drive the first vehicle to evacuate a badly wounded comrade from the shell-pounded town, and he accomplished this difficult mission in the face of severe enemy automatic weapons fire. The conduct of Private First Class Barrick in combat has at all times been exemplary and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the Military Forces of the United States.