The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] John E. Schaeffer (ASN: 0-1309417), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against the enemy on 17 September 1944, near ****, Holland. First Lieutenant Schaeffer took command of a patrol when his battalion was held up by machine gun, rifle and 20-mm. fire. With his patrol, he set out to flank well-entrenched enemy positions on the north approach to the **** Bridge, dashed over open terrain in the face of heavy small arms fire and charged a machine gun position and two protecting riflemen, wounding several enemy soldiers and capturing six. As the Germans prepared to turn mortar fire upon the battalion, First Lieutenant Schaeffer personally led the assault on a 20-mm. gun position, killing one German and capturing two himself. He then turned the 20-mm. gun on the enemy mortarmen. The courage, leadership and decisive action of First Lieutenant Schaeffer cleared the bridge defenses, permitting capture of the bridge intact and enabled the unit to seize the town. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.