The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant John P. Foster (ASN: 12162174), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 3d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 3 January 1945, near ****, Belgium. Sergeant Foster, Squad Leader, a member of the assault platoon, saw his squad fall prey of enemy automatic weapons and riflemen. Working his way around the right flank of the enemy, he charged the nearest position and closed with its occupant by jumping into the foxhole and taking him prisoner. He forced this man, a non-commissioned officer, to call to the next position and the unsuspecting enemy came over carrying his machine gun. With great audacity he seized the enemy machine gun and bested its holder in a fierce hand-to-hand encounter. His aggressiveness allowed his squad to clear the area, and permitted the whole company to continue its forward movement. His gallantry is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.