The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) John R. Schaffer (ASN: 0-62762), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Company [then Company A], 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 26 November 1950, in the vicinity of Kunu-ri, Korea. Company A, suffering many casualties, was forced back and badly disorganized by a numerically superior enemy force. Lieutenant Schaffer organized a small group of men to fight a rear guard action while the other elements of the company regrouped. This group was also forced back into more favorable positions. After rejoining the company, Lieutenant Schaffer discovered that the only route of withdrawal was cut off by three enemy machine guns. Although bleeding profusely from four separate wounds, he led five men in a grenade assault on the enemy positions and destroyed them. His actions enabled the company to withdraw and join other friendly forces. The gallant conduct displayed by Lieutenant Schaffer reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.