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 Gerald G. Jones (ASN: 13135218), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 7 January 1945, near ****, Belgium. Private First Class Jones, Bazooka Gunner, Company G, 3d Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, during the attack on ****** Ridge in Belgium, was instrumental in knocking out an enemy high-velocity gun which had brought punishing fire to bear upon the Company as it pushed forward in the final phase of the attack. The Company was in the process of reorganizing for the final push when a concealed enemy high-velocity gun opened up with direct fire from a range of approximately 150 yards. Private First Class Jones and a light machine gunner, both moved forward, without cover, to engage the gun. In spite of the fact that they were in the open and the enemy gun continued firing, Private First Class Jones fired from a standing position. He fired two rounds which failed to explode. The enemy gun fired two rounds back into the vicinity of where Private First Class Jones was standing. Without hesitation, Private First Class Jones loaded a third round, while the light machine gunner fired on the enemy gun, and succeeded in scoring a hit which immobilized the gun. Private First Class Jones’ gallant and intrepid action in engaging the enemy gun while exposed and in a standing position was instrumental in removing a serious threat to the advance of his Company and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.