John F. Szczotka

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to John F. Szczotka (33146178), Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Reconnaissance Company, 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion, 3d Infantry Division. On 25 April 1945, at about 1600 hours, in the vicinity of Ellerbach, Germany, when his vehicle was almost surrounded, Technician Fifth Grade Szczotka directed the fire of his 37-mm. gun and .30 and .50 caliber machine guns so accurately that 8 Germans were killed and many wounded. Then, despite intense enemy Panzerfaust, machine gun, and small arms fire, Technician Fifth Grade Szczotka continued to cover the successful withdrawal of his patrol until he was killed.