John Mazo

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to John Mazo (16064627), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 49th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 3 April 1945. Sergeant Mazo and his squad had taken shelter in a cellar from an expected artillery barrage. When the enemy attacked, he organized his men to defend their position and personally guarded the door, preventing the enemy from making a successful charge. He then crawled up on two enemy machine gun positions, wiping out enemy troops manning the guns, and recovering the guns. After Sergeant Mazo had directed a successful defense of the position for six hours the enemy withdrew. His courage and devotion to duty without regard for his own safety reflect great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.