RESTRICTED GO No 18 Hq; 82d Abn Div APO 469 U S Army 17 Feb 1945

II — AWARD OF. THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL

Under the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended, and pursuant authority contained in letter 200.6 (AG) Headquarters XVIII Corps Airborne, dated 31 August 1944, and Circular No. 2, Headquarters First United States Army, dated 4 January 1945, the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to the following named individual:

JOHN F. BUFFKIN, JR., 0-1286781, First Lieutenant, 508th Parachute Infantry, for meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy for the period 17 September 1944 to 10 November 1944 near ###, HOLLAND. First Lieutenant BUFFKIN, JR., Adjutant, First Battalion, performed all duties in a superior manner while under adverse combat conditions. He kept the battalion commander accurately posted on the strength of the units composing the battalion, expeditiously collected and forwarded all matter pertaining to casualties, promotions, and decorations. Frequently it was necessary for First Lieutenant BUFFKIN, JR., to move to the battalion forward positions to obtain accurate information for his records. This he did without hesitation, although these positions were under enemy small arms and artillery fire. When the battalion clerk was wounded on D+1, First Lieutenant BUFFKIN, JR. assumed practically all of those duties rather than take a rifleman from one of the under strength rifle companies. He supervised the proper distribution and logging of all incoming and outgoing messages at the CP, and was responsible in large part for an efficient and smooth-running command post. His ceaseless efforts in the performance of additional duties as well as the superior performance of his own office reflects great credit upon himself and his organization. Entered military service from ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA