John J. Sheehy

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to John J. Sheehy (0-1294733), First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant], U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, *** Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, on ** November 1943, near *****, Italy. During the crossing of the ***** River, Lieutenant Sheehy assumed command of Company E when the commanding officer became a casualty. Lieutenant Sheehy led the company through a heavily mined area and captured the assigned objective. To secure the flank of his position, Lieutenant Sheehy assembled a detachment of men and led them on a patrol into the enemy’s lines. As the group approached the town of ***** they located an enemy stronghold. Leading the patrol through intense enemy mortar and small arms fire, Lieutenant Sheehy infiltrated to the rear of the enemy’s position and directed the fire of his men. This action was so successful that all the enemy were either killed or captured. Lieutenant Sheehy’s initiative, courage and devotion to duty was highly meritorious and a credit to the Armed Forces of the United States.