Silver Star

The Silver Star is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction.

Corporal Francis W. Sheridan

Corporal Francis W. Sheridan, 20418799, Parachute Infantry, while serving with the Army of the United States, Distinguished himself by heroic achievement in action. On 7 October 1944 while in a defensive position in the vicinity of Driel, Holland, he noticed a member of a burning American bomber crew land by parachute approximately two hundred yards in front of enemy lines. Corporal Sheridan immediately ran forward in the face of heavy and intense enemy fire three hundred yards to where the airman had landed. Finding the soldier unable to walk due to his injuries sustained in the jump, Corporal Sheidan, completely disregarding his personal safety, carried the wounded man back through withering enemy fire to the safety of his own lines. His display of heroic courage saved the life of this allied airman