John H. Boatright
2nd Lieutenant, U. S. Army
Silver Star
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 80th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 109 (April 23, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) John H. Boatright (ASN: 0-1178416), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 80th Infantry Division in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States on 26 November 1944 in France.
During an attack on St. Avold, France, on 26 November 1944, Lieutenant Boatright was serving as an artillery forward observer. At one point when friendly troops were receiving a severe enemy barrage, he was called upon to adjust artillery fire on a strategic point. Without regard for personal safety, he courageously left his position of comparative safety to gain a vantage point to adjust fire.
Although in doing so he was seriously wounded, he persisted in aiding his assistant in carrying on the mission. Lieutenant Boatright's courage, bravery, and sincere devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.